NIN365 Desk, Kolkata : In a real-life plot that feels straight out of a Hollywood thriller, two British brothers have confessed to orchestrating a daring heist at the Museum of Far Eastern Art in Geneva, Switzerland. The loot? Priceless Chinese Ming dynasty artefacts dating back to the 14th century, valued in the millions. But what drove this audacious crime? A debt that needed settling.
The Artistic Caper Unfolds:
Picture this: a gang of three, armed with tools, brazenly breaks into the Museum of Far Eastern Art in June 2019. The target—two 14th-century vases and a bowl from the iconic Ming dynasty. Stewart and Louis Ahearne, hailing from southeast London, stand before a panel of judges at the Palais de Justice in Geneva, facing charges of theft, trespass, and property damage.
Brotherly Admission:
In a courtroom spectacle, the brothers admit their involvement, providing a riveting account of their escapade. They had fought extradition from the UK, only to face the music in Switzerland. The court, however, rejects a last-minute plea for a private trial, setting the stage for a public spectacle.
The Hong Kong Connection:
The plot thickens as the court reveals that after the heist, the brothers jetted off to Hong Kong. Their mission? To sell one of the stolen Ming dynasty items to an auction house for a cool £80,000. Louis Ahearne, a father of one, confesses to conducting reconnaissance days before the raid, admitting to filming the museum and actively participating in the burglary.
In a startling revelation, he discloses handing over his passport to the Hong Kong auction house. His motive? Clearing a debt. “I was paid to be a front man to clear a debt,” he tells the court. “I was in debt.”
The Chessboard of Crime:
Throughout the court proceedings, the brothers play a strategic game, refusing to reveal the identity of the third person involved in the heist. Stewart Ahearne, 45, paints a vivid picture of being manipulated like a pawn in a high-stakes game of chess. “I was asked to come to Switzerland to do some driving,” he claims. “My role was I was used.”
He takes responsibility for his actions but denies any involvement in planning the heist. “I went into the museum. I stole some stuff. Any organization, anything to do with the artwork, I didn’t know anything,” he asserts.
The plot thickens as Stewart recounts receiving a phone call informing him of his brother’s debt and his role in bringing back some valuable items. “Alarm bells started ringing. My instinct as an older brother was to protect my brother,” he emotionally shares.
From Tourists to Thieves:
The court hears that the trio first arrived in Geneva in February 2019, ostensibly as tourists. Louis Ahearne claims it was for “tourist” purposes, but Stewart Ahearne connects the dots after the burglary, stating, “It was so the third person could do some scouting.” The elaborate scheme unfolds, highlighting the meticulous planning that led to the audacious museum heist.
Behind Bars and Broken Spirits:
As the court delves deeper into the lives of the brothers, Stewart breaks down when discussing his life in Champ-Dollon prison, spending 23 hours a day alone in a cell. The consequences of their actions weigh heavy on them, adding a layer of poignancy to this unfolding drama.
In the end, what started as a seemingly simple debt-clearing mission has morphed into an international art heist with intricate layers of deception, manipulation, and familial bonds tested. The court of public opinion now awaits the final act in this captivating saga of crime and consequence.
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