Serbia opens $40M jewelry heist trial

BELGRADE, Serbia, April 16 (UPI) -- Serbia's court will try three Serbians charged with taking part in a $40 million jewelry heist in Tokyo in 2004.

The three Serbians, reported to be members of the internationally known Pink Panther diamond-stealing crime organization, have denied any involvement in the robbery, The Times of London reported Monday.

None of the jewels stolen from a Tokyo boutique in March 2004 have been recovered, The Times said. Among the items taken in the heist were the Comtesse de Vendome, a $34 million necklace encrusted with 116 diamonds, including a 125-carat oval at its center; and 20 other gems including a diamond ring worth $2 million.

If found guilty, the three Serbians could face 15 years in prison.

They are not being tried in Tokyo as Serbia has no extradition treaty with Japan, the report said.

A 57-year-old Scottish businesswoman won't appear before a Belgrade district court although court papers refer to her as an accomplice, The Times said. Belgrade prosecutors said, however, they would like to interrogate the woman, who has denied having any connection with Japan's biggest jewelry robbery.

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