The two suspects arrested over the Louvre jewellery heist have “partially” confessed to their involvement in the robbery, according to a prosecutor.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau revealed the development at a news conference on Wednesday.
Four thieves stole nine items – one of which was dropped and recovered at the scene – in a heist pulled off while the world-famous Paris museum was open to visitors on 19 October.
Ms Beccuau also said the jewels had not been recovered at this point.
She also addressed reports that police believe the robbery could have been an inside job.
Ms Beccuau said that there was “no evidence the thieves benefited from inside help”.
Image:
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau speaks during a press conference about the investigation into the Louvre robbery. Pic: Reuters
Under French rules for organised theft, custody can run up to 96 hours. That limit is set to expire, and prosecutors must charge the suspects, release them, or seek a judge’s extension.
Earlier, French police acknowledged major gaps in the Louvre’s defences.
Paris police chief Patrice Faure told lawmakers that ageing security systems had left weak spots.
“A technological step has not been taken,” he said.
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Mr Faure also revealed that the Louvre’s authorisation to operate its security cameras quietly expired in July, and had not been renewed.
He said the first alert to police came not from the Louvre’s alarms, but from a cyclist outside who dialled the emergency line after seeing helmeted men with a basket lift.
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