King (pharaoh) Amenemope ruled in the Nile delta under Egypt's 21st dynasty about 3,000 years ago.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy said on TV on Saturday evening that the bracelet was stolen on September 9 from a museum in Cairo when staff were preparing items for an exhibition in Italy. Fathy blamed inadequate routines and stated that an investigation is underway.
The bracelet, which also contained a lapis lazuli stone, was removed from the museum's restoration lab, which according to the minister lacked cameras.
Among the four arrested is a restoration specialist at the museum, according to the Ministry of the Interior. The specialist admitted that he had handed over the bracelet to an acquaintance who runs a silver shop. It was then sold on to a goldsmith and finally to another goldsmith who melted down the bracelet to make new gold jewelry. The money from these transactions – just over 70,000 kronor – has been seized.
