Serbian Woman Accused of Stealing €13,000 in Antiques from Maltese Palace

A 52-year-old Serbian woman, Ljubica Zivkovic, has been charged with theft of three antique vases and a clock worth €13,000 from the Grand Master's Palace in Valletta, Malta. Zivkovic, who was employed as a project manager for a restoration company working at the palace, allegedly committed the theft during the swearing-in ceremony of President Myriam Spiteri Debono on April 4, 2024.

According to court documents, Zivkovic had access to the palace premises over the last six months while working on the restoration project. She was arrested and arraigned in court, where she pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated theft, unlawful possession of cultural artifacts, and breaching probation for similar offenses.

The prosecution revealed that Zivkovic, despite posing as an architect, was not legally authorized to use the title. The Kamra tal-Periti, Malta's professional body for architects, confirmed that Zivkovic was not a licensed architect. Prosecutors also noted that the stolen items, consisting of three vases and a clock, have not been recovered.

During the court proceedings, the prosecution requested a treatment order for Zivkovic's substance abuse issues and objected to her request for bail. They cited concerns about her criminal history, which included a recent conviction for a similar crime, and the fact that her co-workers had not yet testified in the case.

The court ultimately denied Zivkovic's bail request, deeming her untrustworthy due to her probation status for similar crimes and the risk of evidence tampering. She will be detained at the Corradino Correctional Facility while the investigation continues. Police have also arrested a man in connection with the case, though details of his involvement have not been disclosed.

Why this matters: The theft of valuable antiques from a historic site like the Grand Master's Palace highlights the ongoing challenges in protecting cultural heritage. It also raises questions about the vetting process for individuals entrusted with the restoration and preservation of such treasures.

This incident follows another high-profile theft at the Malta Maritime Museum in 2024, where two gold medals worth €400,000 were stolen and later recovered, but suffered irreversible damage. "These crimes not only result in the loss of irreplaceable artifacts but also undermine the trust placed in professionals tasked with safeguarding our cultural heritage," said a spokesperson for Malta's Ministry of Culture.

Key Takeaways

• Serbian woman Ljubica Zivkovic charged with theft of €13,000 antiques from Grand Master's Palace
• Zivkovic, a project manager, allegedly stole 3 vases and a clock during a presidential ceremony
• Zivkovic not a licensed architect, had criminal history, and was denied bail due to risk
• Theft highlights challenges in protecting cultural heritage, follows another high-profile theft in Malta
• Crimes undermine trust in professionals tasked with safeguarding cultural treasures