Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder has apparently fallen victim to art thieves. As the Bundestag confirmed on Friday, the 78-year-old already filed a criminal complaint last Monday after three paintings disappeared from the hallway outside his Berlin office in a parliament building. There are, for example, two woodcuts by the painter and graphic artist Uwe Bremer and a graphic by an unnamed Chinese artist.
The public prosecutor in Berlin said it is investigating the case of theft against unknown persons. Schröder’s office is located in the Otto-Wels-Haus, a few hundred meters from the Reichstag building on boulevard Unter den Linden.
Riddles about the state of affairs
According to “Stern”, the artworks hung there “in the publicly accessible part of the building” for 16 years. No information was given about their value. At the request of the dpa, the Bundestag government said the Otto-Wels-Haus was equipped with gates “allowing controlled access to be performed by gate staff”. Holders of Bundestag ID cards – including both MPs and their assistants – can move freely in the complex.
Not easy times for Schröder
Last week, some of Schröder’s privileges as a former chancellor were taken away. The Bundestag’s Budget Committee has decided to close its office. Last year alone, more than 400,000 euros flowed from the state treasury for personnel costs. However, the 78-year-old is still entitled to a pension and personal protection.
The vote by the budget committee on May 19 is a response to Schröder’s continued work for several Russian companies, even during the war in Ukraine. The former chancellor has been under enormous criticism for months. A day after the decision, Russian energy company Rosneft announced that Schröder would not extend his term as head of the supervisory board.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
