Parma, August 18, 2026 – The five suspects arrested by the carabinieri for the theft of masterpieces by Cezanne, Matisse, and Renoir at the Magnani Rocca Foundation in Mamiano di Traversetolo, in the province of Parma, remain in prison. The theft occurred on the night between March 22 and 23 last year, but was made public only a week later. A heist that caused a sensation. A fourth artwork was abandoned, probably in the confusion.
The validation hearing
The validation hearing was held yesterday before the substitute Gip Maurizio Boselli: two of the alleged gang members exercised their right to remain silent, while the other three made statements, providing their version and, in various ways, the first admissions of responsibility. For the judge, there is no risk of flight but the precautionary measures applied are connected to the risk of repetition of crimes similar to those charged, also in relation to the social dangerousness demonstrated by the five suspects.
The stolen paintings
The three stolen paintings were “Tasse et plat de cerises” by Paul Cezanne, “Les Poisson” by Pierre Auguste Renoir, and “Odalisque Sur La Terrasse” by Henri Matisse. In total, the estimated value exceeds 9 million euros. The carabinieri’s investigations into the case are still ongoing. The masterpieces were recovered at the end of a complex investigation, during searches authorized by the Parma prosecutor’s office.
The investigations
In addition to recognizing the criminal association, the Gip emphasizes how the gang was able to organize the theft of the masterpieces kept in equipped premises and underlines how full clarity has not yet been achieved on the dynamics of the heist carried out on the night between March 22 and 23: in terms of possible commissioners on the front of the channels to which one of the detainees turned for the placement abroad of the stolen goods (Spain, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine).
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