Activists Trialled for Stolen African Artefact

Five activists accused of stealing an African artefact from an indigenous art museum in France have gone on trial.

In June, Emery Mwazulu Diyabanza – a 41-year-old Congolese activist – and four others allegedly removed a 19th-century funeral staff at the Quai Branly Museum in Paris, and paraded it around the building.

Per reports, the staff originated from a region that crosses modern-day Chad and Sudan.

It is believed that Diyabanza had since carried out similar operations at museums in the French city of Marseilles and in the Dutch city of Berg en Dal, so as to pressure European governments into returning African artefacts to their countries of origin.

Appearing in a Parisian court on Wednesday, 30 September, the five suspects were charged with attempted theft of a registered artwork. If found guilty, they could face up to 10 years in prison and pay a €150 000 fine.

Prosecutors also asked for a fine of €1 000 for Diyabanza, as well as €500 each for his alleged accomplices.

A verdict is expected to be heard on Wednesday, 14 October.