DON’T MISS
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Expat Info
Swiss news & articles
Prosecutors release details of million-franc art heist in Geneva
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

Prosecutors release details of million-franc art heist in Geneva

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

Geneva districts left without clean tap water following burst pipeGeneva districts left without clean tap water following burst pipe
Police in Switzerland confiscate 144 km/h e-scooter Police in Switzerland confiscate 144 km/h e-scooter
Flights cancelled and towns flooded as storms sweep across SwitzerlandFlights cancelled and towns flooded as storms sweep across Switzerland
Geneva braced for disruption on January 31 due to planned TPG strikeGeneva braced for disruption on January 31 due to planned TPG strike
Man rushed to hospital after putting face in Jet d'EauMan rushed to hospital after putting face in Jet d'Eau
Geneva Airport threatened by strike action on June 29Geneva Airport threatened by strike action on June 29
Switzerland braces for explosive and violent thunderstormsSwitzerland braces for explosive and violent thunderstorms
Geneva overtakes Amsterdam to become cannabis capital of EuropeGeneva overtakes Amsterdam to become cannabis capital of Europe
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
May 22, 2022
Jan de Boer

Editor at IamExpat Media

Jan studied History at the University of York and Broadcast Journalism at the University of Sheffield. Though born in York, Jan has lived most of his life in Zurich and has worked as a journalist, writer and editor since 2016. While he has plunged head-first back into life in Switzerland since returning to the country in 2020, he still enjoys a taste of home at pub quizzes and karaoke nights.Read more

The prosecutor's office in Geneva has released the first-ever details about a daring heist committed against the Baur Foundation's art gallery in 2019. In a story straight out of a Hollywood film, Swiss police revealed that 3,6 million francs worth of artefacts were stolen in the robbery and that the alleged perpetrators face extradition back to Switzerland.

3,6 million francs worth of priceless art stolen in Geneva

On June 1, 2019, thieves broke into the Baur Foundation Museum of Far Eastern Arts in the centre of Geneva. They left the building carrying a priceless bottle from the Ming Dynasty and two antique plates with an estimated value of 3,6 million Swiss francs. Much to the dismay of the emergency services, the suspects made good their escape.

Three years on, on May 20, the Geneva Public Prosecutor told the Tribune de Genève that they had identified two people they suspect of carrying out the heist. Weeks before the announcement, the Federal Office of Justice in Bern sent an extradition request to the British government to allow the two suspects to be sent to Switzerland to stand trial.

Art heist suspects face up to 10 years in prison

According to The Daily Telegraph, two brothers are suspected of carrying out the bold theft. They also speculated that a shady third person - a potential mastermind behind the robbery - may also be involved. 

On May 17, a judge in the UK approved the brother’s extradition back to Switzerland, although they still have time to appeal. The two are already facing another extradition request from Japan over another matter. The Ministry of the Interior is yet to comment on the brother's extradition. If convicted, the duo face up to 10 years in prison. 

By Jan de Boer