Dutch gov't expects to cough up €5.7 mil. insurance money for stolen Romanian treasures
The Dutch government expects that it will have to reimburse the costs of the golden helmet and three golden bracelets stolen from the Drents Museum in Assen in January. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science has set aside 5.7 million euros and writes that it will “most likely” have to pay for the stolen Romanian treasures, RTV Drenthe reported
The golden helmet and three bracelets were part of a collection on loan from Romania for the exhibition Dacia - Empire of Silver and Gold. The Dutch government partly guaranteed the collection, which means that the government will pay part of the costs in the event of damage, theft, or loss. The exhibit is insured for over 30 million euros, of which the Dutch State will pay 9 million euros. The stolen artifacts are worth 5.7 million euros. The Drents Museum will only be responsible for costs exceeding 9 million euros.
The government implemented this scheme in 1989 to enable museums to put on exhibitions. The government guaranteeing part of the collection on loan from abroad means that the museum has to take out less insurance, which lowers the premium. Since its introduction, the State has guaranteed tens of billions. Until now, the government has paid out around 8,000 euros in damages.
“After the theft in Assen, this will probably be the first time that a substantial amount will have to be paid,” the Ministry wrote. If the helmet and armbands are recovered with damage, the State will also have to pay the costs of repair. “The theft was a very moving event for everyone involved in the Netherlands and Romania,” Minister Eppo Bruins wrote. “I still hope that this important cultural heritage will be found. All efforts are focused on that.”
The Public Prosecution Service (OM) assumes that the treasures are still intact somewhere. Three suspects are in custody, but have not revealed the artifacts’ whereabouts. Sources told RTL Nieuws that the theft happened on behalf of a Romanian criminal who wants to use the treasures as a bargaining chip for a lower or scrapped prison sentence.
