French newspaper Le Monde has published accounts from questioning transcripts of two suspects allegedly involved in a high-profile theft at the Louvre museum in Paris. The individuals, identified as Abdoulaye N and Ghelamallah A, provided details about their roles in the October burglary that resulted in the museum’s director’s resignation and garnered international attention.
According to the suspects’ statements to investigating judges, they broke into the museum’s Apollo gallery on orders from an unnamed client whose identity they refused to disclose due to safety concerns. The duo targeted eight pieces of jewelry, including tiaras, a brooch, necklaces and earrings. During their escape, one of the suspects dropped a gem-encrusted crown from the 19th century that belonged to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. One suspect acknowledged the item fell from his bag and expressed remorse about the crime’s severity.
Both men stated that the alleged mastermind expressed dissatisfaction with the recovered items, indicating that additional valuables could have been obtained. The suspects claimed they were recruited only days before the break-in and were shown a video of the gallery’s interior to familiarize themselves with the target. Abdoulaye N, described as a former minor social media personality interested in motorcycles, said he faced financial difficulties and was promised between €15,000 and €20,000 for participation. His accomplice reported being told the target was a jewelry manufacturing business in Paris rather than the world’s most-visited museum.
The men gained entry through a furniture lift to access a first-floor balcony, then broke the Apollo Gallery window and cut open two display cases. They described working quickly due to time constraints and surveillance concerns. Both suspects declined to provide information about the jewelry’s subsequent location or identify other individuals involved, citing fear of retaliation. Ghelamallah A referenced the perpetrators’ criminal nature, while Abdoulaye N mentioned receiving calls while detained instructing him to remain silent. Investigators have not independently confirmed whether the suspects acted at someone else’s direction.