Eight men, charged with what has been called the theft of the century, began facing trial at a court in Paris on Tuesday.
Four of the men pleaded innocent, French media reported, on charges related to heists in 2007 and 2008 at a Harry Winston jewelry store near the Champs Elysees.
Some 100 million euros (113 million dollars) in merchandise were taken in the two burglaries, during which armed men entered the shop and ransacked the display cases for valuable items.
The second burglary, which took place in December 2008, was described at the time as one of the largest successful jewel heists of all time. The burglars entered the store disguised as women before beginning the robbery.
Jewels from the store, worth 13.4 million euros, were later found in a plastic container stored in concrete at a house in the densely populated suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis.
In January 2009, 25 people were arrested in relation to the robberies.
Of the eight who were charged and went before court on Tuesday, six face up to 30 years in prison and two – including the alleged mastermind – face possible life sentences.
“This is an extraordinary affair with singular aspects,” defence laywer Eric Dupond-Moretti told reporters. “In television shows about theft, the robbers have bulletproof vests. In this case, they had fishnet stockings and high heels.”
GNA
