New Lead in Louvre Jewel Heist: Photos Found on Belgian Cargo Thieves' Phones

Immediately after the break-in, French investigators contacted their Belgian counterparts. They feared that the jewels might surface on the black market of Antwerp diamond dealers. A similar incident occurred in 2016 when jewelry stolen in Paris from TV personality Kim Kardashian was allegedly sold on the Antwerp black market.

The French judiciary is remaining tight-lipped about the new investigation. The Paris public prosecutor's office neither confirmed nor denied the cross-border inquiries.

Cross-Border Investigations

The stolen crown jewels have not yet reappeared. There is still no trace of the loot. The heist made international headlines and sparked a debate about the security of the world-famous museum.

In France, four suspects are currently in pre-trial detention in connection with the Louvre heist. Investigations are now aimed at establishing a possible link between these four detainees and the cargo thieves arrested in Belgium.

France and Belgium have launched joint investigations into the jewel heist. The cross-border cooperation is intended to clarify whether the Eastern European cargo thieves were involved in the planning or execution of the coup.

Security Debate and Resignation

The then-director of the Louvre resigned from her post in the wake of the heist. The spectacular theft had triggered an international debate about the security measures in the Parisian museum.

Paris Match magazine and the newspaper Le Parisien were the first to report on the new developments, citing judicial sources. According to consistent reports, the discovered photos show the Galerie d'Apollon, the very room where the heist took place.