Celtic treasure trial: acquittals or prison sentences for thieves?

Celtic treasure trial: acquittals or prison sentences for thieves?

There is a lot at stake in the current trial surrounding the theft of a valuable Celtic gold treasure from the Celtic-Roman Museum in Manching. Four men, including three from near Schwerin and a Berliner, are accused of stealing the treasure in November 2022. According to NDR, the defense lawyers are now requesting acquittals for three of the defendants because they believe that the prosecution's evidence is insufficient.

The prosecution is based on the fact that the perpetrators stole over 3.7 kilograms of gold and 483 coins in a record-breaking time of just nine minutes. The Celtic gold treasure is considered the largest of its kind in the 20th century and was discovered in 1999 during excavations in Manching, Bavaria. The find includes 483 gold coins, a 217 gram cast cake made from raw material and several bronze rings Wikipedia. What is strange is that most of the loot has disappeared to this day.

The Heist operation and its consequences

On November 22, 2022, there was a sophisticated break-in in which the perpetrators initially sabotaged a Telekom distribution center. This action resulted in the loss of internet and telephone signals throughout the area, including the museum's alarm system. While the technical distraction took effect, the thieves smashed a display case and cleared out the museum in no time. What is interesting is that only a single gold coin was left behind BR.

Since the suspects were arrested on July 18, 2023, after months of investigation, they have been in custody. During the searches, investigators discovered gold nuggets on a property in Plate that could be attributed to one of the defendants. It is believed that around 70 ancient coins were fused with these gold nuggets, so their whereabouts remain uncertain.

Sentence and further investigations

The public prosecutor's office is demanding prison sentences of between six and twelve years for each of the accused men. In addition, an application was made for the confiscation of over two million euros, which includes the value of the untraceable part of the gold treasure. This punishment would not only reflect the perpetrators, but also the official failure with regard to security precautions in the museum NDR.

The trial, which has been running for six months, will end with a verdict on July 29, 2025. This could be a decisive process for the cultural preservation of Germany, because the Celtic gold treasure of Manching represents not only material but also immense historical value.