Overview

• Authorities say the bracelet of Pharaoh Amenemope was taken on September 9 from a museum restoration lab during preparations for an exhibition in Italy.
• Officials report the piece moved through local dealers for roughly $3,800 to $4,000 before a workshop employee melted it to make other jewelry.
• The Interior Ministry says four suspects, including a restoration specialist, were arrested and confessed, with seized proceeds and CCTV footage documenting part of the sale.
• Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy blamed procedural failures, the lab had no security cameras, and a specialist committee is inventorying the lab as images of the item were circulated to border units.
• A judge ordered the restoration specialist and an acquaintance held 15 more days pending investigation, while two others may be released on bail of 10,000 Egyptian pounds each.