In Germany five men have been sentenced for their role in the 2019 robbery of the historic Green Vault in Dresden.
The defendants, all members of the ‘Remmo crime family’ have been on trial since January facing charges ranging from aggravated gang theft and arson.
Five of the accused were handed sentences of between four years and four months and six years and two months. A sixth member was acquitted.
The value of the items stolen has been revised to €113 million ($AU178 million), including the 49-carat Dresden White Diamond, among other diamonds, pearls, and rubies.
“The stolen Dresden collection was assembled in the 18th century by Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony and later King of Poland, who commissioned ever more brilliant jewelery as part of his rivalry with France’s King Louis XIV,” reported Reuters,
“The treasures survived Allied bombing raids in World War II, only to be carted off as war booty by the Soviet Union. They were returned to Dresden, the historic capital of the state of Saxony, in 1958.”
In December the authorities recovered ‘considerable portion’ of the items stolen; however, many important pieces remain missing.
Investigators have previously stated that they believe a further 40 people may have played a role in the crime.
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