On Thursday, in Brussels, prosecutors confirmed that no suspects have been found in the theft of the painting "Olympia" by the Belgian surrealist painter René Magritte. The painting was stolen in 2009 from the Magritte Museum in Jette, before being found two years later. According to rumors, a ransom of 75,000 euros was paid to retrieve the painting however this has never been confirmed. On September 24th, 2009, two men broke into the Magritte museum and threatened staff and visitors. The thieves then fled with the painting, which was in a small room protected by a glass door.
Two years later, in December 2011, the painting was offered to expert Janpiet Callens. According to him, the thieves could not sell the piece on the black market and were therefore trying to give it up.
The judicial investigation opened after the robbery has now been closed and no suspect has been identified. The prosecution will ask the council chamber to relieve the judge. The investigation could be re-opened if new evidence comes to light, said the prosecutor.
(Source: Belga)
