2018 date set for Brussels Airport diamond heist trial

The trial into a €37 million diamond heist at Brussels Airport in 2013 - which was due to start on Monday - has been scheduled for February 2018, Brussels criminal court has confirmed.

The trial has been delayed because the main suspect, Marc Bertoldi, is serving an eight-year jail sentence in France for kidnapping and cannot be extradited to Belgium.

Eight armed men wearing police uniforms drove on to the tarmac at Zaventem airport on 18 February 2013 and held up a Swiss flight, making off with 121 parcels of diamonds that were being transported to Zurich.

In total 16 men and three women are accused of involvement - either in committing the robbery, being an accomplice or disposing of stolen goods.

Bertoldi's appeal against his kidnapping conviction in France will be heard later this month. If acquitted, he will be able to stand trial in Brussels.