Dutch prosecutors recover ancient Romanian artefacts stolen in museum heist
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ASSEN, Netherlands, April 2, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – A 2,500-year-old golden helmet and two other ancient Romanian treasures stolen from a museum in the Netherlands were recovered after suspects in custody provided information that led investigators to them, Dutch prosecutors said on Thursday.
The artefacts, linked to Geto-Dacian communities, were presented at a press conference at the Drents Museum in the northern Dutch city of Assen, where they had been on loan when they were stolen in an overnight heist in January last year.
The recovered items included the golden Helmet of Cotofenesti, one of Romania’s most important archaeological objects, and two gold bracelets dating to 50 B.C.
One additional bracelet remains missing, lead prosecutor Corien Fahner told reporters.
Fahner said suspects held for months over the theft had provided information that led to the recovery as part of an arrangement related to their trial, without giving further details.
Three men are in custody in the Netherlands on suspicion of stealing the artefacts and using explosives during the heist.
The items belong to the National History Museum in Bucharest.
