In the thriller about missing art treasures in Upper Austria. Kremsmünster Abbey, the Steyr public prosecutor's office has filed criminal charges against a former Benedictine priest of the Abbey and an antique dealer. The clergyman is said to have stolen art objects worth at least 35,000 euros in 2018, and the dealer has to go to court on charges of stolen goods. The trial should take place in mid-April at the latest, informed court spokesman Christoph Mayer on Wednesday.
Image: APA
Specifically, three years ago the priest was accused of a painting worth 15,000 euros, a shell relief worth 10,000 euros, numerous copper engravings with a total value of 10,000 euros as well as pictures, books and candlesticks (value still open, but less than 5,000 euros) from the Having stolen a pen. According to the public prosecutor's office, an antique dealer took the picture from him, although he should have known that it was stolen goods. He is also accused of supporting the clergy in concealing. According to the criminal complaint, the monk had asked the dealer before a voluntary police inspection in his private depot to take art objects and hide them, said Mayer. In the event of a conviction, the father faces up to three years of imprisonment, the dealer up to two years.
Last year it was discovered that around 50 pieces – mainly paintings and historical weapons – with a total value of around 300,000 euros had disappeared from the monastery's art collection. The Steyr public prosecutor initiated an investigation. It turned out that some of the works of art are back in the meantime, a number of dealers had apparently reversed their business. After it could not be clearly clarified when the objects were lost and who was responsible for them, parts of the preliminary proceedings were discontinued.
