Olympia museum robbed
Source: Agencies |
February 19, 2012, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
TWO masked gunmen stormed into a small museum at the birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece on Friday, smashing display cases with hammers and making off with dozens of antiquities up to 3,200 years old, officials said.
It was the second major museum theft in as many months in debt-hit Greece, and a culture ministry unionist said spending cuts have compromised security at hundreds of museums and ancient sites across the country.
In January, thieves made off with art works by 20th-century masters Pablo Picasso and Piet Mondrian from the National Gallery in one of the best-guarded areas of central Athens.
Friday's robbers targeted the museum of the ancient Games at Olympia, a short distance from the world heritage site's main museum that contains priceless statues and bronze artifacts excavated at the holiest sanctuary of ancient Greece.
Officials said 65 artifacts were stolen by the robbers, who tied up the only site guard, a 48-year-old woman.
Culture Minister Pavlos Geroulanos submitted his resignation after the morning robbery, but it was unclear whether it had been accepted by Prime Minister Lucas Papademos. Geroulanos traveled to ancient Olympia, 340 kilometers southwest of Athens.
"This is a very sad day ... a tragedy," ministry Secretary-General Lina Mendoni said.
Police in Olympia and neighboring regions set up roadblocks for the thieves, who are believed to have escaped in a car driven by an accomplice.
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