French authorities have intensified their investigation into the brazen Louvre Museum robbery, charging two additional suspects in a case that continues to captivate global attention. The Paris prosecutor's office revealed Saturday that a 37-year-old man and 38-year-old woman now face charges related to the theft of 88 million euros worth of royal jewelry.
The male suspect stands accused of direct involvement in the meticulously planned heist, while the female suspect faces complicity charges. Both remain in custody despite maintaining their innocence. This development brings the total number of charged individuals to four, with three other detainees released pending further investigation.
As investigators scramble to recover the missing treasures, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez acknowledged the possibility that the historic pieces may have been dismantled and sold through international black markets. "While we consider all scenarios, including overseas resale, I remain optimistic about recovery efforts," Nunez told Le Parisien.
The high-profile case has exposed significant security gaps at the world's most visited museum. Culture Minister Rachida Dati announced emergency measures including upgraded surveillance systems and anti-intrusion barriers, responding to what she called "decades of underestimated theft risks." Museum director Laurence des Cars' offer to resign was declined despite the security breach.
As art crime experts warn about the challenges of tracking disassembled antiquities, the investigation highlights growing concerns about protecting cultural heritage in an era of sophisticated transnational crime networks.
