Written by Ahmed Abdelhady and Mohamed Abu Deif

In a widely controversial incident, the Administrative Prosecution has launched an urgent investigation into the embezzlement of a rare ancient gold bracelet from a steel safe inside the restoration lab at the Egyptian Museum in downtown Cairo.

Investigations revealed that a restoration specialist at the museum stole the bracelet and left her workplace carrying it, before later selling it to others. This prompted the prosecution to open an inquiry into the security system for archaeological artifacts inside Egyptian museums.

Urgent order from the head of the Administrative Prosecution to open the investigation

Upon monitoring news websites, the Media and Monitoring Center at the Administrative Prosecution directed Counselor Mohamed El-Shenawy, head of the Administrative Prosecution Authority, to open an urgent investigation before the Technical Office of the Authority’s head for investigations, chaired by Counselor Khairy Moawad, to identify shortcomings in the circulation and security system of archaeological pieces inside the restoration lab, address the gaps, and determine disciplinary responsibilities arising from them.

Comprehensive field inspection of the restoration lab and electronic gates

As part of the investigations, Counselor Ahmed Abdel Salam, member of the Technical Office of the Authority’s head for investigations, conducted a comprehensive inspection of the restoration lab on Monday morning, September 29, 2025, in the presence of the museum’s general director, the director general of the Islamic Museum, the head of the technical committee, and several specialists.

The inspection included examining the electronic gates controlling the entry and exit of workers and visitors, photographing the entire lab, reviewing the ledgers organizing the circulation of archaeological pieces, and discussing with several employees of the restoration department.

A treasure from the Third Intermediate Period: pure gold and rare lapis lazuli

Inspection results showed that the stolen bracelet dates back to the Third Intermediate Period, about 900 years BC, made of pure gold and inlaid with a rare piece of lapis lazuli stone.

The piece was previously displayed in one of the museum halls before being deposited in the restoration lab to prepare it for display in an international exhibition. Official records showed that the lab did receive the piece, but it does not keep internal records proving the movement of archaeological pieces inside, which is a serious security gap.

Immediate decisions: comprehensive inventory and regulatory investigations

After the inspection, the prosecution tasked the committee formed by the Supreme Council of Antiquities to quickly examine all procedures related to securing and circulating archaeological pieces inside the museum, conduct a comprehensive inventory of the restoration lab, and request investigations from the relevant regulatory bodies to uncover all details of the incident, according to the spokesperson of the Administrative Prosecution, Counselor Mohamed Samir.