Two men accused in the 2025 Louvre jewel theft have told Paris judges that they were brought in by an unnamed sponsor, adding a new layer to one of France's most closely watched museum cases.
Abdoulaye N., 40, and Ghelamallah A., 36, were arrested a week after the robbery and later charged with organized gang robbery. After months of silence in detention, they gave a fuller account in June, saying they were contacted only two or three days before the operation by a person they still refuse to identify.
According to their statements, the pair received instructions through a video filmed inside the Louvre's Apollo Gallery, where the French Crown Jewels were displayed. They say they were told to break the window and take as many pieces as possible. Abdoulaye N. said he was promised between 15,000 and 20,000 euros, while Ghelamallah A. said he expected 20,000 to 25,000 euros.
The men described meeting accomplices in Aubervilliers on the morning of October 19 before using a motorized lift to reach the gallery. Wearing yellow construction vests, they entered through a window and cut into two display cases in a rapid eight-minute operation. The group left with eight jewelry pieces, including tiaras, necklaces, earrings, and a brooch, valued at more than €88 million.
Abdoulaye N. also said the crown of Empress Eugénie fell during the escape and was later recovered near the museum. The suspects claim the sponsor was waiting for the handoff in Aubervilliers and later criticized them for not taking more. Investigators, however, say they have not yet found evidence confirming the existence of this figure or any wider network.
For now, the case remains focused on the recovery of the missing jewels and the search for answers around the chain behind the theft. The investigation may eventually reshape how major museums approach security in the digital age.