Free State of Saxony demands compensation from thieves of the Green Vault

The trial against the jewel thieves ended in May 2023 with five convictions to multi-year prison sentences, which have since become final. They had returned the majority of the loot at the end of 2022 as part of a deal, but the most valuable pieces are still missing. Although the judges had affirmed the Free State's claim for damages, they refused to set a specific amount as it would be too costly and time-consuming to determine.

According to an answer from the Ministry of Culture to a question from the Left Party in the state parliament in February, the original value of the stolen jewelry was estimated at just under 128.6 million euros. The reduction in value of the parts of the loot that had already been returned, some of which were severely damaged or destroyed, was estimated at just under 52.5 million euros.

A civil chamber of the Dresden Regional Court is dealing with the Free State's lawsuit against SKD's security company. It is demanding a good 15 million euros in damages plus 300,000 euros for repairs to the museum - the verdict is due to be announced on July 9.