A diamond necklace belonging to Egypt’s Queen Nazli was stolen from Vienna’s MAK after two suspects entered the museum posing as visitors, smashed the display case with a hammer, and fled with the piece. The theft took place yesterday afternoon.
Police launched an operation to apprehend the suspects after the incident. Investigators are examining security footage from the museum, nearby streets and metro stations, while also taking statements from witnesses who were in the exhibition hall.
Police believe the suspects knew in advance which piece they would steal. ORF reported that investigators are looking into whether the theft was carried out to order, while police have not commented on the matter.
Police search for two suspects
Police said security cameras captured images of the two suspects and are working to identify and apprehend them.
The exhibition, which was temporarily closed after the theft, reopened to visitors after a security assessment carried out with police was completed. MAK said the necessary conditions had been established for the exhibition to operate safely.
Necklace sold for $4.3 million in 2016
Police confirmed that the stolen piece was the world-famous diamond necklace belonging to Egypt’s Queen Nazli. No statement has been made بشأن its current value.
According to Sotheby’s data, the necklace was sold for $4.3 million at an auction in New York in 2016. The necklace, created in 1939 by a Paris-based luxury jewelry company, contains more than 600 diamonds.
The exhibition features around 500 pieces, including more than 300 works from the company’s 120-year history and over 200 pieces from the MAK collection.
