An architect from Serbia, Ljubica Živković (52), is suspected of stealing three antique vases and a clock from the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta, Malta, in whose restoration she participated, the media in Malta announced. All three vases and the clock are valued at 13,000 euros.
The Times of Malta reported on Tuesday that police had identified the theft suspect after reviewing footage from several security cameras.
In court on Wednesday, Ljubica Živković denied charges of aggravated theft, illegal possession of cultural artifacts and violation of probation imposed for similar crimes.
The “Times of Malta” announced that the architect originally from Belgrade lives in Iklin, Malta, and that she was the project manager in the restoration company that was engaged in the works in the palace. The Paddys state that she joined the project at the last minute and has been involved in construction work on the palace for the past six months.
Due to the role she played in the restoration, she had access to the entire palace, where she could move freely.
The theft was discovered on April 5, and the court was told that the missing items have not yet been found.
The defense attorneys requested that Živković be released on bail, but the court refused. As an argument for keeping her in prison, allegations were heard that the architect from Serbia has problems with drug abuse, as well as that she was on parole for similar crimes.
KTP: She is not an architect
The spokesperson of the Maltese association of architects, the organization Kamra tal Peritija, said that Živković did not have a license to perform activities as an architect or civil engineer and that she is not authorized by law to call herself an architect.
The items disappeared from the halls inside the palace, which reopened to the public earlier this year after five years of extensive restoration.
The disappearance of the vase and clock came less than a month after two gold medals worth €400,000 were stolen from the Maritime Museum in Vittoriosa, Malta. The medals were found at the residence of a man who was charged with theft and was released. The Malta Maritime Museum has since stepped up security and launched an internal investigation into the theft.
