4 acquitted over Brussels diamond heist; nearly nothing

The Brussels appeals court docket mentioned in its ruling that “the elements of the investigation are not sufficiently reliable” and that they have been inadequate to convict the final 4 defendants within the case.

The theft drew comparisons to the Hollywood film “Ocean’s Eleven” for its clear, medical execution that left nobody harm.

On a crisp, wintry night in 2013, eight robbers wearing police clothes reduce via safety fences at Brussels worldwide airport and headed for a Swiss-bound aircraft the place parcels of gems from the close by Antwerp world diamond hub have been being loaded. They brandished machine weapons at pilots and transport safety officers, acquired into the maintain of the aircraft and took off with 120 parcels.

It barely took 5 minutes and not one of the 29 passengers on the aircraft knew something was occurring. Because of the perfection of the operation, there have been fast suspicions there was assist from contained in the airport.

Investigators thought they have been near discovering the robbers a number of instances, particularly three months later once they detained a number of dozen individuals in a three-nation sweep and recovered among the diamonds. But the courts discovered the proof unconvincing.

“There were so many elements that were presented as overwhelming evidence, but after a close look appeared to be deformed, and badly interpreted,” mentioned protection lawyer Benjamine Bovy, including that the these trying into the case have been too mounted on one state of affairs solely.

“The mountain gave birth to a mouse,” Bovy mentioned.