Former Louvre director suspected of art theft suspended | Abroad

It is a new chapter in the story of the extensive art theft of Egyptian antiquities, in which former Louvre chief Martinez plays an important role. He was director of the Louvre from 2013 to last year. The allegations relate to purchases for the Louvre branch in Abu Dhabi, where the emirate bought art worth millions. French justice has launched an investigation into possible trade in Egyptian antiquities.

In 2016, 15 million euros were effortlessly put on the table to purchase five prestigious Egyptian art treasures. These included the thousands of years old and monumental tombstone of the pharaoh Tutankhamun.

An alarm went off among specialists because there were doubts about the origin of the art. The French judiciary decided to open an investigation. It was suspected that the five Egyptian art treasures were stolen during the Arab Spring and then sold, ending up on the wall in the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Jean-Luc Martinez has been officially identified as a suspect. He would have known that, among other things, Tutankhamun’s tombstone had been stolen, but would have ‘turned a blind eye’.

He is officially suspected of ‘fraud in an organized context and money laundering of goods that originate from a crime’. He does not have to go to jail, but has been placed under judicial supervision. Two specialists with whom he worked have also been charged.

Martinez denies all allegations. He worked for the French government after stopping at the Louvre last year, including as an ambassador for international cooperation for world heritage sites. He also championed the fight against looted art. He has now been relieved of that position.