4 more acquitted over Brussels heist; diamonds still missing
BRUSSELS — Nearly a decade after a brazen diamond heist at Brussels airport, it looks like a near-perfect crime.
While one person was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison and a small part of the loot — estimated in 2013 to be worth $50 million — was recovered, 18 other people were acquitted in 2018 and four more were acquitted on appeal Wednesday, leaving it unclear whether the mastermind will ever be found.
The Brussels appeals court said in its ruling that “the elements of the investigation are not sufficiently reliable” and were insufficient to convict the last four defendants in the case.
The robbery drew comparisons to the Hollywood movie “Ocean’s Eleven” for its clean, clinical execution that left no one hurt.
On a crisp, wintry evening in 2013, eight robbers dressed in police clothing cut through security fences at Brussels international airport and headed for a Swiss-bound plane where parcels of gems from the nearby Antwerp global diamond hub were being loaded. They brandished machine guns at pilots and transport security officials, got into the hold of the plane and took off with 120 parcels.
It barely took five minutes and none of the 29 passengers on the plane knew anything was happening. Because of the perfection of the operation, there were immediate suspicions there was help from inside the airport.
Investigators thought they were close to finding the robbers several times, especially three months later when they detained several dozen people in a three-nation sweep and recovered some of the diamonds.
But the courts found the evidence unconvincing.
“There were so many elements that were presented as overwhelming evidence, but after a close look appeared to be deformed, and badly interpreted,” said defense lawyer Benjamine Bovy, adding that those looking into the case were too fixed on one scenario only.
“The mountain gave birth to a mouse,” Bovy said.
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4 more acquitted over Brussels heist; diamonds still missing
In this March 29, 2017, file photo, the "Pink Star" diamond is displayed by a model at a Sotheby's auction room in Hong Kong. The 59.6-carat diamond sold for $71.2 million at a Sotheby's auction in Hong Kong. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu, File)
In this March 29, 2017, file photo, the "Pink Star" diamond is displayed by a model at a Sotheby's auction room in Hong Kong. The 59.6-carat diamond sold for $71.2 million at a Sotheby's auction in Hong Kong. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu, File)
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4 more acquitted over Brussels heist; diamonds still missing
A 102.34-carat, D color and flawless white diamond held by a model is displayed at Sotheby's auction house in London, Feb. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
A 102.34-carat, D color and flawless white diamond held by a model is displayed at Sotheby's auction house in London, Feb. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
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4 more acquitted over Brussels heist; diamonds still missing
A 102.34-carat, D color and flawless white diamond held by a model is displayed at Sotheby's auction house in London on Feb. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
A 102.34-carat, D color and flawless white diamond held by a model is displayed at Sotheby's auction house in London on Feb. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
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4 more acquitted over Brussels heist; diamonds still missing
In this Oct. 12, 2018, file photo, the Queen Marie Antoinette pearl and diamond pendant, from the 18th century, is displayed at Sotheby's in New York. The large, drop-shaped natural pearl pendant sold for a hammer price of $32 million at an auction of jewelry that once belonged to French queen Marie Antoinette. Sotheby’s called it a record price for a pearl at auction. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
In this Oct. 12, 2018, file photo, the Queen Marie Antoinette pearl and diamond pendant, from the 18th century, is displayed at Sotheby's in New York. The large, drop-shaped natural pearl pendant sold for a hammer price of $32 million at an auction of jewelry that once belonged to French queen Marie Antoinette. Sotheby’s called it a record price for a pearl at auction. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
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4 more acquitted over Brussels heist; diamonds still missing
In this April 7, 2016, file picture, a model displays "The Unique Pink," the largest Fancy Vivid Pink pear-shaped diamond offered at auction, at Sotheby's auction rooms in London. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
In this April 7, 2016, file picture, a model displays "The Unique Pink," the largest Fancy Vivid Pink pear-shaped diamond offered at auction, at Sotheby's auction rooms in London. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
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4 more acquitted over Brussels heist; diamonds still missing
A model displays a 3-billion-year-old diamond the size of a tennis ball at Sotheby's in New York on May 4, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
A model displays a 3-billion-year-old diamond the size of a tennis ball at Sotheby's in New York on May 4, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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4 more acquitted over Brussels heist; diamonds still missing
A member of auction house staff poses for a picture with a 19-carat pink diamond called "Le Grand Mazarin" at Christie's auction house in London, Oct. 18, 2017. The diamond once belonged to French rulers including King Louis XIV and Emperor Napoleon. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)
A member of auction house staff poses for a picture with a 19-carat pink diamond called "Le Grand Mazarin" at Christie's auction house in London, Oct. 18, 2017. The diamond once belonged to French rulers including King Louis XIV and Emperor Napoleon. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)
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4 more acquitted over Brussels heist; diamonds still missing
A model wears a rare aquamarine and diamond tiara by Faberge at Christie's auction rooms in London on April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
A model wears a rare aquamarine and diamond tiara by Faberge at Christie's auction rooms in London on April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
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4 more acquitted over Brussels heist; diamonds still missing
The 52.58 carat, internally flawless Mirror of Paradise diamond ring, included in the "Maharajas & Mughal Magnificence" auction at Christie's, is previewed in New York on June 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The 52.58 carat, internally flawless Mirror of Paradise diamond ring, included in the "Maharajas & Mughal Magnificence" auction at Christie's, is previewed in New York on June 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
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4 more acquitted over Brussels heist; diamonds still missing
The closed cover of a gold, enamel and diamond-set watch and crank key made by Jehan Cremsdorff in Paris, about 1650, is displayed at Sotheby's auction house in London on June 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
The closed cover of a gold, enamel and diamond-set watch and crank key made by Jehan Cremsdorff in Paris, about 1650, is displayed at Sotheby's auction house in London on June 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
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4 more acquitted over Brussels heist; diamonds still missing
A staff member looks at two gold and gem Horse Head sculptures, "Lakshmi" and "Indra," by Herbert Haseltine, 1949, made of gold, diamond, rock crystal, sapphire, emerald, ruby, cultured peal and gilt metal, during a media preview for Sotheby's "Gold: The Midas Touch" sale in London, Oct. 25, 2019. (Isabel Infantes/PA via AP)
A staff member looks at two gold and gem Horse Head sculptures, "Lakshmi" and "Indra," by Herbert Haseltine, 1949, made of gold, diamond, rock crystal, sapphire, emerald, ruby, cultured peal and gilt metal, during a media preview for Sotheby's "Gold: The Midas Touch" sale in London, Oct. 25, 2019. (Isabel Infantes/PA via AP)
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4 more acquitted over Brussels heist; diamonds still missing
This image released on Dec. 3, 2019, shows gem hunter Don Kogen inspecting the 55.66-carat Florence Eternal Colombian Emerald. (Rosalita Life/Kat Florence via AP Images)
This image released on Dec. 3, 2019, shows gem hunter Don Kogen inspecting the 55.66-carat Florence Eternal Colombian Emerald. (Rosalita Life/Kat Florence via AP Images)
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4 more acquitted over Brussels heist; diamonds still missing
An unmounted colored diamond of 118.05 carats is displayed at Christie's auction rooms in London, April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
An unmounted colored diamond of 118.05 carats is displayed at Christie's auction rooms in London, April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
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4 more acquitted over Brussels heist; diamonds still missing
A model wears a 19th century emerald and diamond fringe necklace at Christie's auction rooms in London, April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
A model wears a 19th century emerald and diamond fringe necklace at Christie's auction rooms in London, April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
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4 more acquitted over Brussels heist; diamonds still missing
An unmounted colored diamond of 118.05 carats is displayed at Christie's auction rooms in London, April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
An unmounted colored diamond of 118.05 carats is displayed at Christie's auction rooms in London, April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
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4 more acquitted over Brussels heist; diamonds still missing
A diamond-encrusted broach, designed and owned by the late comedian Joan Rivers, is displayed at Christie's, June 17, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
A diamond-encrusted broach, designed and owned by the late comedian Joan Rivers, is displayed at Christie's, June 17, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
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4 more acquitted over Brussels heist; diamonds still missing
The Apollo blue diamond and the Artemis pink diamond earrings are displayed at Sotheby's auction rooms in London, April 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
The Apollo blue diamond and the Artemis pink diamond earrings are displayed at Sotheby's auction rooms in London, April 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
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4 more acquitted over Brussels heist; diamonds still missing
A large flawless D-color diamond is displayed at Christie's auction rooms in London, Oct. 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
A large flawless D-color diamond is displayed at Christie's auction rooms in London, Oct. 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
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4 more acquitted over Brussels heist; diamonds still missing
In this file photo taken from video March 16, 2017, Sierra Leone's President Ernest Bai Koroma holds a 709-carat diamond found in the country's eastern Kono District. (SLBC via AP)
In this file photo taken from video March 16, 2017, Sierra Leone's President Ernest Bai Koroma holds a 709-carat diamond found in the country's eastern Kono District. (SLBC via AP)
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4 more acquitted over Brussels heist; diamonds still missing
The Donnersmarck diamonds, a pair of yellow diamonds, are displayed by a model at a Sotheby's auction room in Hong Kong, Oct. 23, 2017. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
The Donnersmarck diamonds, a pair of yellow diamonds, are displayed by a model at a Sotheby's auction room in Hong Kong, Oct. 23, 2017. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
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4 more acquitted over Brussels heist; diamonds still missing
In this June 14, 2016, file photo, a model holds up a huge gem-quality rough cut diamond at the Sotheby's auction house in London. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
In this June 14, 2016, file photo, a model holds up a huge gem-quality rough cut diamond at the Sotheby's auction house in London. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
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4 more acquitted over Brussels heist; diamonds still missing
A model shows "The Sky Blue Diamond" ring, featuring a rare vivid blue diamond weighing 8.01 carats, at the auction house Sotheby's in London, Oct. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
A model shows "The Sky Blue Diamond" ring, featuring a rare vivid blue diamond weighing 8.01 carats, at the auction house Sotheby's in London, Oct. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
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4 more acquitted over Brussels heist; diamonds still missing
The Pink Star diamond is displayed by a model at Sotheby's auction rooms in London, March 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
The Pink Star diamond is displayed by a model at Sotheby's auction rooms in London, March 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
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4 more acquitted over Brussels heist; diamonds still missing
A model wears two white diamond rings, each over 50 carats, at Sotheby's auction house in London, April 6, 2018. (Dominic Lipinski/PA via AP)
A model wears two white diamond rings, each over 50 carats, at Sotheby's auction house in London, April 6, 2018. (Dominic Lipinski/PA via AP)
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4 more acquitted over Brussels heist; diamonds still missingYves Logghe, Associated Press
Two airport police officers use a chain Feb. 19, 2013, to lock a gate that leads to the tarmac at Brussels international airport.
Yves Logghe, Associated PressTwo airport police officers use a chain Feb. 19, 2013, to lock a gate that leads to the tarmac at Brussels international airport.
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