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PARIS (AP) — On Saturday, the Paris prosecutor announced that two additional suspects have been formally charged in connection with the daring heist of crown jewels from the Louvre museum.
In a statement, Laure Beccuau, the prosecutor, detailed that a 37-year-old man faces charges of theft orchestrated by an organized gang, as well as criminal conspiracy. Meanwhile, a 38-year-old woman has been charged as an accomplice. Both suspects have been detained in custody.
Despite the charges, the two suspects maintain their innocence, according to Beccuau.
The arrests follow a police operation on Wednesday that led to the apprehension of five individuals linked to the high-profile case, including one suspect identified through DNA evidence.
Earlier in the week, authorities charged two other suspects, aged 34 and 39, from Aubervilliers, a suburb north of Paris, with similar offenses of organized gang theft and criminal conspiracy.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said both gave “minimalist” statements and “partially admitted” their involvement. The two are believed to be the men who forced their way into the Apollo Gallery. One was stopped at Charles-de-Gaulle Airport with a one-way ticket to Algeria; his DNA matched a scooter used in the getaway.
Neither names nor extensive biographical details have been made public about those arrested.
Information about investigations is meant to be secret under French law, to avoid compromising police work and to ensure victims’ right to privacy, a policy known as “secret d’instruction.″ Only the prosecutor can speak publicly about developments, and violators can be prosecuted.
In a separate case, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said six people were arrested on Thursday soon after a robbery at a gold refining laboratory in the city of Lyon during which thieves used explosives. The loot, which was estimated to be worth 12 million euros ($13.9 million) has been recovered, Nuñez said on X.