The director of the Romanian National History Museum has been dismissed following the high-profile theft of valuable Romanian artefacts from Drents Museum in the Netherlands.
During the burglary – on the night from Friday to Saturday – a gold helmet and three gold bracelets were stolen.
Romanian Culture Minister Natalia Intotero announced the decision, emphasising that the Romanian museum had lent the artefacts to the Drents Museum. The minister stated that the director had refused to resign willingly and criticised his handling of the situation.
Ms Intotero’s action followed a declaration by Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, who had urged the minister to take decisive measures to protect national heritage after the robbery.
Museum Director Ernest Oberländer-Târnoveanu stated previously that he had not broken any laws. According to the government, the archaeological objects stolen should not have left the country without proper permissions, which were allegedly lacking.
Dutch police revealed on Tuesday that they suspect the culprits may have come from the province of North Holland. It remains unclear if the three suspects captured on the museum’s security cameras are involved.
A large-scale investigation has been launched, including both technical and tactical examinations at the museum and further inquiries in locations such as Alkmaar, Witmarsum in Friesland, Groningen, Assen, and Rolde.