Berlin Regional Court Sentences Couple from Demmin to Multi-Year Prison Terms for Theft of Grave Art

According to the court's conviction, the two had stolen bronze sculptures, statues and relief panels at night over the course of years: "Nach Überzeugung des Gerichts hatten beide über Jahre hinweg nachts Bronzeplastiken, Skulpturen und Reliefplatten gestohlen". Cemeteries in Berlin were primarily affected, but also facilities in Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. According to this, the theft gang struck in several federal states.

Among the stolen objects were figures of Jesus, angels and relief panels. Some of the art objects weighed up to 150 kilograms, as the court found. Among them was a bronze figure valued at at least 60,000 euros, the intangible value of which presiding judge Johannes Schwake described as immeasurable: "der ideelle Wert ist nicht zu bemessen", said presiding judge Johannes Schwake.

Heavy Haul and a Hideout in the House

During searches in May 2025 in Berlin and in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, police found a hideout behind stair beams in the couple's house, where a large portion of the stolen artworks was stored. "Sämtliche Objekte mit Ausnahme einer Figur konnten zurückgegeben werden", the verdict further stated. According to the court, nearly all of the stolen objects could be returned.

A 57-year-old co-defendant, who in 18 cases purchased stolen objects and partly resold them, was dealt with more leniently by the court. "Ein weiterer Angeklagter wurde wegen gewerbsmäßiger Hehlerei zu zwei Jahren Haft auf Bewährung verurteilt". According to his statements, he had been told these were "Sachen aus aufgelösten Gräbern", as appears from the confession: "Ihm sei gesagt worden, es handele sich um 'Sachen aus aufgelösten Gräbern'".

Leniency for the Receiver

The 57-year-old confessed at the start of the trial that the couple had, however, "irgendwann dazu verleiten lassen" to steal things. In the reasoning of the verdict, the presiding judge expressed outrage at the crimes: sculptures had also been stolen from a children's cemetery - "das ist nicht nur pietätlos, eine bodenlose Gemeinheit, einem fehlen die Worte". According to the court, the affected cemetery visitors were shocked.

In addition to the prison sentences, the court ordered the confiscation of monetary equivalents. Confiscation of monetary equivalents amounting to 8,000 euros was ordered against the couple, and 2,100 euros against the 57-year-old. This is intended to skim off part of the proceeds obtained from the crimes.

Investigations and Reaction of Those Affected

The investigations had intensified following a series of reports of suspicious incidents at Berlin cemeteries, spanning several years. The crimes had each been committed at night, with the heavy bronze sculptures apparently transported away using vehicles. Police finally tracked down the couple from Demmin on the basis of investigations and searches conducted in May 2025.

The case had attracted nationwide attention because art objects from graves have not only a material but above all an intangible and emotional value for relatives. In the reasoning of the verdict, the judges emphasized the particular callousness of the acts, which in some cases affected children's cemeteries. The return of the objects to the cemeteries and relatives was a central concern of the proceedings.

The verdict is not yet final, as the possibility of an appeal exists. The affected cemeteries and park facilities had repeatedly reported vanished bronze artworks in recent years. With the verdict, the Berlin Regional Court considers the series of 28 proven thefts and one attempted theft to be solved.