‘Theft of century’ suspect released from detention
A 49-year-old man held in pre-trial detention for a year for allegedly stealing three valuable paintings from the National Gallery in Athens in the “theft of the century” in 2012 was released on Thursday.
He was released with an electronic tag and without additional restrictive conditions.
The case is still being probed by an investigative magistrate. The Athens Council of Misdemeanors will decide whether the defendant will be referred to trial.
The suspect is alleged to have stolen the three paintings on January 8, 2012 out of what he described as “a passion for art.” They included Pablo Picasso’s 1934 work “Head of a Woman,” Piet Mondrian’s “Stammer Windmill with Summer House” (1905) and Guglielmo Caccia’s “St Diego de Alcala in Ecstasy with the Holy Trinity and the Symbols of Passion.”
A report into the gallery’s security system after the heist revealed serious failings.
The suspect was arrested in June 2021.
