Defense Attorneys Seek Acquittals in Celtic Gold Heist Case

The trial concerning the theft of the Celtic gold treasure from the Kelten Römer Museum in Manching, near Ingolstadt, has seen defense lawyers for three of the four defendants call for acquittals. This legal proceeding has been ongoing for six months, with the courtroom filled with discussions centering around the alleged burglary of a treasure valued at approximately 1.5 million euros.

During the case, four individuals from the Schwerin area and Berlin have been accused of the crime. The defense attorneys criticized the prosecution's case, suggesting that it lacks substantive evidence against their clients. One attorney described the prosecution's arguments as existing "in a vacuum," highlighting a significant gap in the evidence presented.

The case gained attention when one of the defendants, a 45-year-old from Berlin, was found in possession of several gold lumps at the time of his arrest. Prosecutors assert that these lumps may consist of melted-down coins from the museum; however, the defense argues that the origin of the gold is not definitively established, making it insufficient to convict.

Another defendant, a 44-year-old from Schwerin, also faces similar calls for acquittal from his legal representation, who question the existence of a so-called "Schwerin group" of burglars. They have requested not only an acquittal but also the release of their client from custody and compensation for the two years he spent in pre-trial detention.

The defense for a 52-year-old alleged accomplice has echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that the evidence presented is remarkably weak. One defense attorney expressed strong disapproval of the prosecution's sentencing requests, suggesting that the penalties proposed are excessively harsh.

The prosecution has identified a 48-year-old from Plate, near Schwerin, as the alleged leader of the burglary ring, demanding a twelve-year prison sentence for him. The legal arguments from his defense team are still pending.

Throughout the trial, all four defendants have remained silent regarding the allegations against them. The case extends beyond just the museum heist, encompassing nearly twenty other crimes across Germany and Austria, including incidents involving the forced entry into ATMs.

Specifically, the defendants are accused of executing a nighttime burglary in November 2022, during which they allegedly stole over 3.7 kilograms of gold, including 483 coins and a significant gold lump from the Manching Archaeological Museum. This treasure, dating back 2,100 years, was unearthed during excavations in 1999 and represents the largest Celtic gold find of the 20th century. To date, most of this valuable loot remains unaccounted for.