By The Associated Press’s JILL LAWLESS
London (AP)The most visited tourist destination in the nation, the British Museum, was partially closed to the public on Saturday after a fired employee broke in and destroyed computer systems, according to museum administration.
Following the suspected attack on Thursday, the central London museum, which welcomes over 6 million visitors annually, closed some of its permanent collection and temporary displays.
The museum stated in a statement on Friday that an IT contractor who was fired last week had broken into the building and taken down multiple systems. When the police arrived, he was taken into custody.
Although we are making every effort to restore the museum to full operation, we regret to inform you that our temporary exhibitions have been closed today and will remain closed throughout the weekend. Ticket holders have been notified and will receive reimbursements.
According to the Metropolitan Police force, officers were contacted Thursday night after receiving allegations that a man had broken into the British Museum and damaged its IT and security systems. It stated that a guy in his 50s was taken into custody on suspicion of causing criminal damage and burglary. While investigations are ongoing, he has been released on bond.
The museum, which is 266 years old, has had a difficult few years. More than 1,800 items that were allegedly stolen by a former curator and put up for sale online are still being sought after. The museum is suing Peter Higgs, who was sacked in July 2023 after 30 years of service in the Greece and Rome division. He refutes the accusations.
Hartwig Fischer, the director of the museum, resigned in August 2023 after admitting that the management of the organization ignored warnings that antiquities from the 15th century B.C., gold jewelry, and semi-precious gems were being stolen from the collection and sold on eBay.
The museum, which is brimming with international treasures, is also coming under increasing pressure to return artifacts that were stolen from other nations during the British Empire. One such example is the Parthenon Marbles, which are 2,500-year-old sculptures that British diplomat Lord Elgin took out of Athens in the early 19th century.
Greece has been advocating for the return of the marbles for decades. Although the British Museum is legally prohibited from returning the statues to Greece, its leaders have discussed potential compromises, such a long-term loan, with Greek officials.