This is the moment an ancient pharaoh’s bracelet that was stolen from a museum is weighed for scrap, bent out of shape with pliers and then dropped into a bin to be smelted for cash.
The theft happened in Cairo, Egypt, on 9th September, when the priceless artefact was stolen from the restoration lab of the Egyptian Museum.
In the footage, a man places the bracelet on a scale before cutting into it with pliers and bending it out of shape. Moments later, he tips the remains into a bin ready for melting.
Officials said the bracelet once belonged to Pharaoh Amenemope who ruled around 1000 BC during Egypt’s Third Intermediate Period. It was discovered in his tomb at Tanis and described as solid gold with a spherical lapis lazuli bead.
Investigators said the restoration specialist who stole the bracelet broke off the stone with a sharp tool to disguise it as pure gold before replacing it with another piece during her shift.
She then turned to an acquaintance who owned a silver shop and arranged for the bracelet to be sold on.
The stolen piece changed hands several times, fetching EGP 180,000 (GBP 2,700) at first before being resold for EGP 194,000 (GBP 3,000).
Police arrested the three suspects and prosecutors said they confessed to the theft when confronted.
A Cairo court has since renewed their detention while investigations continue.
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said a special committee is carrying out a full review of all artefacts kept in the museum’s restoration lab.
To find out more about the author, editor or agency that supplied this story – please click below. Story By: Michael Leidig, Sub-Editor: Simona Kitanovska, Agency: Newsflash
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