South Sudanese Deputy Minister Robbed in Paris in Daylight, $35,000 Stolen Including Jewelry, Mobile Phones and Important Documents

We have heard a lot about atheletes winning medals, creating history, breaking records at the Olympics. However Paris Olympics has been in limelight for many other reasons too. We have already heard about a few accidents of theft and disturbance and a similar news has came forward on surface.

According to the latest news, a bag belonging to the deputy minister of sports and youth policy of South Sudan, containing $35,000 earmarked for the country’s delegation at the 2024 Olympics, was stolen in Paris, Valeurs Actuelles magazine reported, citing TASS.

The money meant to help the atheletes and delegations qt the Olympics and its loss is a serious blow to South Sudanese team as well as a near perfect image of Paris Olympics.

It is being said that the incident occurred on the evening of August 4 at a hotel in the suburb of Villejuif where the South Sudanese Minister and his team stayed. The deputy minister left the bag unattended on a table in the hotel lobby. Employees present at the time stated they did not witness the theft.

In addition to the cash, the bag contained jewelry, the official’s documents, a mobile phone, and various passes for access to Olympic facilities. Sooner after the incident, a complaint was filed at the nearest police station. 

Local Police later found the bag in Massy, a commune near Paris, but the money and jewelry were missing. This incident follows a similar theft involving Slovak cyclists who were robbed in Paris recently. 

Local authorities are investigating the theft, and security measures for Olympic delegations are expected to be reviewed and tightened in light of these events. 

Such unfortunate events draw a bad picture of the event. The official country delegation and atheletes are guests hosted by Paris and the security and safety must be valued higher so these things can be stopped from happening.x