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Investigators in front of the Residenzschloss in Dresden (2019): trace to Essen
Photo: Sebastian Kahnert / picture alliance / dpa
More than two years after the spectacular theft of jewels with a total value of over 113 million euros from the historic Green Vault in Dresden, there have been searches in Essen.
This was reported unanimously by the "Bild" and the German Press Agency, which refers to security circles.
Accordingly, it has been confirmed that the searches are related to the investigation into the Green Vault.
Police officers from Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia were involved.
The public prosecutor's office in Dresden only confirmed on Sunday that they had carried out a search in Essen.
"We do not comment on the subject," said authority spokesman Jürgen Schmidt.
When the Dresden Residenzschloss was burgled on November 25, 2019, 21 pieces of jewelry with a total of 4,300 diamonds and brilliants were stolen.
The spectacular coup also caused property damage of more than one million euros.
The trial against six alleged perpetrators began in Dresden under strict security conditions on Friday.
Aggravated gang theft
All six defendants belong to the Remmo family: Ahmed, 23, is the older brother of the twins Mohamed and Abdul Majed.
Wissam, 25, and Rabieh, 28, are her cousins.
Bashir, 26, is a distant relative.
The allegations include serious gang theft and particularly serious arson.
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One of the accused at the start of the trial on Friday
Photo: Jens Schlueter / dpa
According to the indictment, two men are said to have climbed into Saxony's baroque treasury in Dresden's Residenzschloss on November 25, 2019 at 4:57 a.m.
The perpetrators first entered the so-called Petriosensaal of the historic Green Vault through a window.
The burglars weren't interested in the gems there.
Footage from a surveillance camera shows shadows of two men rushing to the wall cases and then pounding on the case glass until it gave way.
The Saxon state treasury from the 18th century lay in the showcases.
Each exhibit was individually sewn to the subsurface.
This may have prevented the thieves from clearing the display cases completely.
The special commission »Epaulette«, named after one of the booty items, continues to investigate despite the indictment.
According to the public prosecutor's office, there is reasonable initial suspicion against a further 40 suspects, including four security guards and four possible helpers of the perpetrators.
It is still unclear where the loot went.
sep/dpa