More Stuff: FYROM police arrest eight for big museum theft

Police in FYROM have arrested the head of the country’s biggest museum, a former senior heritage official and six others over the theft of 162 ancient pieces of jewelry from the museum’s collections.

The prosecutor’s office in the capital, Skopje, said the eight suspects would face charges including illegal possession of cultural artefacts, abuse of power and negligence.

The works, mostly gold and silver jewelry dating from the 4th century A.D., were taken from storage areas in the museum in central Skopje between November 2011 and October 2013.

Police spokesman Ivo Kotevski told The Associated Press that some artifacts were found in the suspects’ homes, but it was unclear whether these were among the 162 stolen items.

The theft was reported to authorities in October.

Source: The Associated Press [February 27, 2014]