Cotofenesti’s golden helmet and three gold bracelets were stolen from the Drents Museum in Assen in January 2025. These art treasures are of great value to Romania. Three Heerhugowaarders were suspected of this robbery, Jan B. (21), Douglas Chesley W. (37) and Bernhard Z. (36). At the beginning of April, a prison sentence of up to 5.5 years was demanded against the three suspects. Two years ago, the court handed down a sentence of 47 months in prison.
Public Prosecution Service agrees with the court’s decision
Today the Public Prosecution Service announced that it will not appeal against the sentence of 47 months in prison. The Public Prosecution Service had made a deal with two suspects. Jan B. and Douglas Chesley W. received a lower sentence in exchange for returning the art treasures. The Public Prosecution Service had agreed not to appeal if the court largely followed the process agreements within this deal.
In the two cases, the court followed all procedural agreements surrounding the deal made by the Public Prosecution Service and the suspects. The process agreements stated that there would be no appeal if the court adhered to the agreements.
The third suspect had not made a deal with the Public Prosecution Service, but still received the same verdict. The judge said that he could not distinguish between the roles that the three played in the return of the art treasures. The Public Prosecution Service will not appeal in this case either. According to the Public Prosecution Service, ”sufficient justice has been done”.