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AFP
Published
Apr 1, 2011
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Swiss police hand images of diamond suspects to Interpol

By
AFP
Published
Apr 1, 2011

Swiss police have handed to Interpol images of suspects believed to have stolen four diamonds from the world's biggest watch and jewellery fair in the city of Basel, a spokesman from the local prosecutor's office said Thursday.


person shows a Ladymatic on display at the Omega booth at the world watch and jewellery show 'Baselworld' on the eve of its opening in Basel, Switzerland, 23 March 2011.

"We obtained several images from surveillance cameras depicting who we think are the perpetrators," of the theft at Baselworld, said Markus Melzl, spokesman for Basel's prosecutor's office.

The suspects have not been identified, but their images have been transmitted to Interpol in the hopes of identifying them.

A group of four to five suspects stole four diamonds worth millions from a diamond trader at the industry fair on Wednesday.

Some 1,892 exhibitors from 45 countries, including luxury brands such as Chopard, Patek Philippe, and Rolex as well as jewellery makers like Bulgari and Tiffany, are showcasing their latest creations over 160,000 square metres at the Baselworld fair until Thursday.

The fair, which is open to the public, has been the targeted by thieves on several occasions. In 2009, a robber stole 13 million francs (10 million euros) of jewellery, but was rapidly caught.

In 2007, thieves made away with more than a million francs worth of jewellery.ZURICH, March 31, 2011 (AFP)

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