Two more suspects have been formally charged with involvement in the recent $102m heist at France's prestigious Louvre Museum. The Paris prosecutor, Laure Beccuau, announced on Saturday that a 37-year-old male suspect has been charged with organized theft and conspiracy. He is currently being held in pre-trial detention pending a hearing.
The man, who was known to the authorities for prior theft offenses, denies any involvement in the crime. His accomplice, a 38-year-old woman from Paris's northern suburb of La Courneuve, has also been charged with assisting in the heist and faces detention on grounds of collusion risk and public order disturbance.
According to prosecutors, the woman's lawyer claims she is "devastated" by the accusations, stating that she cannot understand how her client could be linked to the alleged crimes. Seven people have now been arrested in connection with the case, with three released without charge and one previously identified through DNA evidence at the crime scene.
The heist itself took place last month when thieves broke into the Louvre in broad daylight, stealing seven valuable items worth an estimated $102m. The stolen goods include a Napoleonic-era crown and jewelry worth millions of dollars.
French authorities had initially announced the arrest of two male suspects over the robbery. However, the two men partially admitted to charges this week. One suspect is a 34-year-old Algerian national who lives in France and was identified by DNA evidence from one of his stolen scooters. The other man is a 39-year-old unlicensed taxi driver with prior theft convictions.
The investigation into the heist has been ongoing, but the thieves remain at large with their ill-gotten gains still missing.
The man, who was known to the authorities for prior theft offenses, denies any involvement in the crime. His accomplice, a 38-year-old woman from Paris's northern suburb of La Courneuve, has also been charged with assisting in the heist and faces detention on grounds of collusion risk and public order disturbance.
According to prosecutors, the woman's lawyer claims she is "devastated" by the accusations, stating that she cannot understand how her client could be linked to the alleged crimes. Seven people have now been arrested in connection with the case, with three released without charge and one previously identified through DNA evidence at the crime scene.
The heist itself took place last month when thieves broke into the Louvre in broad daylight, stealing seven valuable items worth an estimated $102m. The stolen goods include a Napoleonic-era crown and jewelry worth millions of dollars.
French authorities had initially announced the arrest of two male suspects over the robbery. However, the two men partially admitted to charges this week. One suspect is a 34-year-old Algerian national who lives in France and was identified by DNA evidence from one of his stolen scooters. The other man is a 39-year-old unlicensed taxi driver with prior theft convictions.
The investigation into the heist has been ongoing, but the thieves remain at large with their ill-gotten gains still missing.