The National Museum of History of Romania has received 5.7 million euros as compensation for the art robbery in the Drents Museum. In addition, the golden helmet of Cotofenesti and three golden bracelets were stolen. Together these museum pieces are insured for 5.7 million euros.
The Romanian Ministry of Culture confirms that the money has been transferred. The money was transferred from the Dutch insurer. The Dutch state is liable for the full damage of the stolen gold helmet and bracelets, and will eventually have to pay the amount.
For temporary exhibitions with borrowed artworks from abroad, museums can ask the empire to be partly guaranteed. If there is damage then, or if there is theft or loss, the government will contribute to the damage. This scheme makes it easier for museums to keep these exhibitions, and as a result, museums also have to pay less premium to the insurer.
It will be for the first time in history that the Dutch government pays such a large amount of damage for damage to art or stolen art. Until the artist of January, the Dutch State has paid ‘only’ 8,000 euros in damage. Museums have been able to use this scheme since 1989. It concerns dozens of billions of euros that the ministry has already guaranteed.
The golden helmet and the three golden bracelets stolen in the Drents Museum were on loan from the National Historical Museum in Romania. The pieces were part of an exhibition about Dacians, a people from Romania. The total collection was insured for more than 30 million euros, the Dutch government is responsible for 9 million euros. As a result, the Drents Museum had to pay 25 to 30 percent less premium to the insurance.
There are three suspects for the art. The Public Prosecution Service wants to recover the 5.7 million euros from them. “In view of the size of the amount, that may mean that they are very firmly in debt throughout their lives,” said the public prosecutor during a hearing. In addition, there is one more co -suspect who is suspected of stealing license plates for a flight car.
The golden helmet was insured for 4.3 million euros. Two bracelets were insured for 450,000 euros, the other for 500,000 euros. If they are found, the government can get the money back.