Cannes loses shine for Leviev after record jewellery heist
AROUND £88 million worth of diamonds and jewels owned by an Israeli billionaire has been stolen from a Cannes exhibition in the most expensive heist in history.
The masked gunman held up the Intercontinental Carlton Hotel in broad daylight last Sunday while he filled a briefcase with the items belonging to Russian-born Lev Leviev.
Mr Leviev’s company, Leviev, had allowed its precious merchandise to be used in a tempo- rary exhibition in the French Riviera resort.
A local police officer told the Nice Matin newspaper: “The raid took place in broad daylight at a time when hundreds of tourists were enjoying the sunshine.
“It could not have been more daring. The thief took advantage of the crowds and the fact it was Sunday and the atmosphere was relaxed.”
Although the thief had made threats, police at the scene stated that “it was all over very quickly. There was no violence.”
The culprit allegedly gained access through a glass door that had accidentally been left open.
A company spokesperson denied this report, insisting that security had been adequate. Leviev also said they were “relieved that no one was injured in the robbery.”
An investigating officer assured the public that “a full and urgent operation is under way to catch the culprit and recover these jewels”.
LEV LEVIEV has had a bad week. The 57-year-old Israeli billionaire had £88 million worth of jewellery stolen from his company’s exhibition at the Intercontinental Carlton Hotel in Cannes. However, despite it being the biggest jewellery heist in the world, it is unlikely to cause the hard-headed businessman too much distress, due to his experience in overcoming adverse situations.
Leviev made aliyah with his family when he was 15, moving from Tashkent in Soviet Uzbekistan, a place where he has admitted that, as a Chabad Jew, he “grew up in fear.
“Many times I was beaten up in school… they sent my grandfather to Siberia. They wouldn’t let us keep the Sabbath — we had to go to school on Saturdays. Just being Jewish was dangerous.”
Leviev’s life-long connection with diamonds started shortly after arriving in Israel, when he took up an apprenticeship with a family friend who owned a diamondpolishing plant.
It was here that the young immigrant paid workers to teach him about the 11 steps of diamond processing, from raw stone to ready-for-sale jewel. This kind of education is frowned on within the industry, but Leviev has rarely let prohibition get in the way of his ambition.
He said: “I never doubted that I would get rich. I knew from the time I was six that I was destined to be a millionaire.”
It was this determination to create the world he desired, no matter what obstacles were in the way, which led him to break De Beers’ monopoly on uncut diamonds.
After working for De Beers as a licensed producer, Leviev left the industry astounded in 1989 when he broke away and convinced the Russian government to go into business with him.
A Tel Aviv diamond trader declared: “It was unbelievable. He was breaking the rules, going after the source… that’s how Leviev cracked the De Beers cartel. With the instincts of a tiger and the balls of a panther.”
Later, Leviev entered the Angolan market. With the government’s assistance, he created a central body to handle trade of all precious stones in Angola, stopping rebels deriving their funds from so-called blood diamonds.
He is passionate about Jewish philanthropy. During his 15 years as president of the Federation of Jewish Communities in the Former Soviet Union, he has built a network of 10,000 helpers who channel his money into Jewish day schools, synagogues, orphanages and soup kitchens for more than 500 communities.
Natan Sharansky, the Russianborn Jewish Agency chairman, says: “I know a lot of rich people who give money. But Lev Leviev is on a completely different level. He’s building entire communities.”
Leviev’s determination to blaze his own trail has not come without adverse consequences, however. UNICEF, the global children’s charity, severed connections with him five years ago in response to his alleged involvement with constructing settlements in the West Bank.
His relationship with Russian president Vladimir Putin, whom he calls a “true friend,” has also come under scrutiny, particularly after Putin helped secure the election of Berel Lazar as chief rabbi of Russia, to represent a largely secular community.
Criticism, though, has never affected Leviev. The married father of nine possesses unwavering confidence in all facets of his life, and does not rest until they match up to his flawless standards.