Melania Trump statue stolen in Slovenia: Investigation ongoing
The statue of Melania Trump in Slovenia has been stolen, reports "The Guardian". According to the police and the creator of the sculpture, the figure was severed at ankle height. An investigation has been launched into the matter.
The first statue of Melania Trump, located near the Slovenian town of Sevnica, was previously destroyed by fire. Five years ago, a bronze statue replaced the original wooden sculpture, both depicting the former First Lady of the USA. Now, it has emerged that the figure has disappeared.
Local police and the sculptor, American artist Brad Downey, confirmed that the statue was cut off at the ankle and taken away.
Police spokeswoman Alenka Drenik Rangus said to AFP on Thursday that the theft was reported on 13th May, and police officers promptly attended the scene and initiated an investigation.
Artist surprised by the theft
The creator of the sculpture expressed his disappointment over the theft — I felt a bit sad — he admitted in an interview with AFP.
Downey also suggested that the incident might be linked to the presidential elections in the USA, though he emphasised that this is purely speculative.
The sculpture was situated on private land, secured with concrete and metal rods, near Sevnica. The statue became a local symbol, but Downey explained that the bronze statue is an "anti-monument" and "anti-propaganda" — an ironic response to the image of the First Lady of the USA.
Melania Trump, an immigrant from the former Yugoslavia, received American citizenship in 2016. She has not visited her hometown since her departure.
Slovenians hoped that Trump's wife would visit Sevnica, but this has yet to occur.
