Drents Museum robbery suspect denies role, rejects plea deal ahead of trial

In advance of the trial next week, a 35-year-old suspect in the theft of Romanian artifacts from the Drents Museum has not reached a plea agreement with prosecutors. His lawyer said that it's because the suspect insists that he had no role in the robbery.

Bernard Z., one of three suspects from Heerhugowaard, “denies having been in the museum and did not commit the robbery,” attorney Simcha Plas said. “And so, in our case, there is no deal.”

The trial is scheduled to begin on Tuesday at the Assen court. Two other suspects, Jan B., 21, and Chesley W., 37, will also stand trial.

The case centers on the theft of several ancient Romanian artifacts, including the golden helmet of Cotofenesti and three bracelets, taken during the night of Jan. 24 to Jan. 25 last year. The items were on loan from the National History Museum in Bucharest and exhibited at the Drents Museum.

Earlier this month, authorities said the helmet and two of the three stolen bracelets had been recovered. The helmet, about 2,500 years old, was slightly dented after its return.

The Dacian artifacts, considered Romanian cultural heritage, were later displayed under heavy security at a formal event and were to be returned to Romania as soon as possible.

At the time, prosecutors also said agreements had been made with the defense, with the return of the stolen artifacts set as one of the conditions. Such procedural agreements often involve the Public Prosecution Service seeking a reduced sentence. The trial is expected to reveal further details about those arrangements.