23.06.2020, Berlin: Polizisten gehen in Tempelhof vor einem Gebäude an der Colditzstraße über die Straße. Seit dem Morgen durchsuchen 250 Einsatzkräfte der Berliner Polizei insgesamt drei Objekte, darunter eine Moschee. Wie ein Polizeisprecher mitteilte, geht es um den Verdacht auf Subventionsbetrug in Zusammenhang mit Corona-Soforthilfen. Foto: Paul Zinken/dpa +++ dpa-Bildfunk +++

During searches in Berlin, police officers seized a valuable violin from the 18th century. According to the public prosecutor’s office, this was stolen in March 2019 from the Hanns Eisler Music Academy in Berlin – and sold for just 200 euros.

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Obviously the seller did not know what treasure he had. The historic instrument by violin maker Nicolo Gagliano from Naples is worth at least 275,000 euros, said a spokesman for the public prosecutor’s office on Wednesday after the stolen goods were secured. The “B.Z.” had previously reported. The police tracked down the alleged fence in investigations into dangerous bodily harm, deprivation of liberty and threats, as it was said.

According to the public prosecutor’s office, these are aimed at five men between the ages of 22 and 34. One of the suspects is said to have sold the valuable violin and is accused of receiving stolen goods. His mother is said to have helped.

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On Wednesday morning, about 80 police officers searched four places in Berlin, including an apartment on Karl-Marx-Allee in Berlin-Friedrichshain, because of the investigation. A police spokeswoman said that search warrants from the two parallel proceedings had been carried out.

She did not provide any information about the evidence seized. According to a “B.Z.” report, at least one knife, a baton, drugs and a device for manipulating car speedometers were confiscated in addition to the violin. (dpa)