[MSN] Serbian police search for monastery robbers

[Museum Security Network Mailinglist]

Serbian police search for monastery robbers 
Monday, June 12, 2006 11:48 AM 

BELGRADE, Serbia-Serbian police said Monday they have launched an intensive
search, including notifying the Interpol, for unknown robbers who stole
valuable relics from a monastery in western Serbia this weekend. 

The stolen relics from the Sveta (Saint) Petka monastery near Sabac, about
60 kilometers (36 miles) west of Belgrade, include part of the remains of
Sveta Petka, a much-revered 11th Century Orthodox Christian saint of Serb
origin. 

Police said the robbers broke into the monastery through a window, on the
night between Saturday and Sunday. They also made away with a golden chalice
and an icon. 

The monastery's head nun, Vera, told the Beta news agency that "the value of
the stolen remains is inestimable." 

The police said they have stepped up control of the borders and brought in
trained dogs as part of the search. Presuming that the thieves would try to
sell the relics abroad, the Serb police notified the Interpol of the theft,
they said.

http://www.serbianna.com/