Two men suspected of orchestrating a high-profile heist at the Louvre museum in Paris last October have provided investigators with insights into the operation, revealing that the alleged mastermind behind the theft was dissatisfied with the haul. According to reports from the French newspaper Le Monde, which cited transcripts of questioning by two investigating judges, the suspects claimed the individual who ordered the robbery believed the group “could have taken more.”
The two suspects, identified locally as Abdoulaye N and Ghelamallah A, were apprehended following the October 2025 incident, which resulted in the theft of eight pieces of jewelry, including necklaces, tiaras, earrings, and a brooch, valued at €88 million. During their escape, the thieves dropped a gem-encrusted crown once worn by Empress Eugénie, the wife of Napoleon III. Abdoulaye N admitted to the mishap, telling judges, “Yes, it was me, it fell out of my bag.” Upon being shown a photograph of the damaged artifact, he added, “What we did wasn’t right, it’s very serious.”
The pair alleged they were hired just two or three days before the burglary and were provided with a video of the gallery to familiarize them with the display cases. Abdoulaye N, a former minor social media personality, stated he was in financial distress and was promised between €15,000 and €20,000 for his role. Ghelamallah A claimed he was unaware the target was the Louvre, stating he had been told it was a jewelry store and would have refused the job had he known the true location. He had agreed to a fee of €20,000 to €25,000.
The thieves entered the museum by accessing a first-floor balcony via a furniture lift and breaking through a window into the Apollo Gallery. Abdoulaye N described the scene as dark, noting that while he could see security personnel in the distance, he felt pressured to work quickly. “We had to take as much jewellery as we could,” he said, explaining that they operated under a strict three-minute window to avoid detection. The stolen items were reportedly handed over to the mastermind, who intended to resell the pieces.
Both men have refused to disclose the identity of their client or any accomplices, citing fear of reprisals. Abdoulaye N noted that he had received calls while in detention warning him to remain silent, while Ghelamallah A characterized the people behind the operation as dangerous. Investigators have not yet confirmed that the burglars were acting on behalf of a specific third party.
Alleged thieves in October 2025 robbery damaged a gem-encrusted crown worn in the 19th century by Empress Eugénie
Two men suspected of making off with €88m (£75m) worth of crown jewels from the Louvre museum in Paris last October have reportedly told investigators that the alleged mastermind behind the heist was disappointed by the haul and thought “they could have taken more”.
