Kidnapping trial: Grandfather in focus once more? – Eugen Block’s secretary is to testify within the kidnapping trial | EUROtoday

The trial surrounding the spectacular kidnapping of Christina Block’s (52) two youngsters is coming into a vital part. On Thursday, the Hamburg regional court docket desires to listen to a witness who is taken into account notably near the household: the secretary of Eugen Block (85), the founding father of the “Block House” steakhouse chain. According to authorized circles, the long-time worker’s assertion may present new clues – and thus deliver the grandfather of the kidnapped youngsters again into focus.

Because: At occasions the general public prosecutor’s workplace had additionally investigated Eugen Block. Although the proceedings in opposition to the entrepreneur have been discontinued, the interrogation of the secretary reveals that the function of the pinnacle of the household has certainly not utterly disappeared from the file from a authorized standpoint. In addition to the secretary, an worker of a financial institution department and a detective who was concerned within the first investigation after the kidnapping on New Year’s Eve 2023/24 are additionally scheduled to testify on Thursday.

Kidnapping on New Year’s Eve

The core of the trial is the accusation in opposition to Christina Block: She is claimed to have ordered the kidnapping of her two youngsters from Denmark. The youngsters – a ten-year-old boy and a 13-year-old lady – have been dwelling with their father, his divorced husband Stephan Hensel, on the time.

According to the general public prosecutor’s workplace, the 2 minors have been forcibly taken to southern Germany by an Israeli safety firm on New Year’s Eve 2023/24. Christina Block later introduced her from there to Hamburg. On January 5, 2024, the Hanseatic Higher Regional Court ordered that the youngsters should return to Denmark. Block rejects the allegations. She denies ordering a kidnapping.

Names like one thing out of a spy thriller

The most up-to-date interrogation of witnesses has already proven how professionally and conspiratorially the suspected kidnappers acted: these concerned are mentioned to have checked into the luxurious lodge “Elysée”, which belongs to the Block Group, beneath pseudonyms – not as “Mr” or “Mrs”, however as “Doris White”, “George Blue” or “John Black”.

A former receptionist reported in court docket that the background data was saved “strictly under wraps” on the lodge. There was a “veil” over the friends. He solely heard from superiors that they have been acquaintances of Christina Block. The court docket is now making an attempt to make clear whether or not and the way this placement was associated to the later kidnapping – and who truly organized it.

“Doris White” as a key determine

The function of a lady who turned recognized beneath the alias “Doris White” – typically additionally as “Olga” – is especially explosive. According to the general public prosecutor’s workplace, it was mentioned to have been the right-hand man of the pinnacle of the Israeli safety firm. She is claimed to have performed a central function within the lodge: she introduced friends, accepted room playing cards and communicated in English at reception.

The seek for this lady has been ongoing for a very long time – now there’s a stunning growth: the presiding choose introduced that the accused was questioned by the Hamburg public prosecutor’s workplace on January eighth and twelfth. A protocol shouldn’t be but obtainable.

According to the prosecution, the girl’s protection made contact in December. The search was lifted and the girl was given protected conduct – attributable to “high state interest in solving significant crimes”. It is probably going that she will likely be referred to as as a witness.

Damage of not less than 200,000 euros?

At the identical time, a monetary aspect entrance can also be coming into focus: A former lodge supervisor testified {that a} lady and a person checked in beneath a false title and with no registration kind within the spring of 2023 – and stayed for a very long time. After just some weeks, a number of thousand euros in prices had accrued. Christina Block met the girl frequently.

The co-accused lawyer is claimed to have appeased the Block household as chairman of the supervisory board of Elysée Hotel AG. The presiding choose Isabel Hildebrandt had already given him a authorized discover in December: He might be convicted of breach of belief as a result of he was mentioned to have given the directions to accommodate the Israelis freed from cost for months. The injury: not less than 200,000 euros. Christina Block might be charged with aiding and abetting.

Daughter refuses to testify

When coping with the case, the query of what the youngsters themselves can and wish to report can also be essential. But the court docket has to chorus from testifying: the now 15-year-old daughter is not going to testify and is exercising her proper to refuse to testify. Both youngsters are co-plaintiffs within the trial as victims and are represented by attorneys.

The trial has been working since July eleventh and is scheduled for quite a few days of negotiations. Further dates are deliberate till the tip of June – the subsequent one will happen on Thursday, January fifteenth.

A brand new chapter may start with the assertion from Eugen Block’s secretary: The trial is now not simply in regards to the query of who deliberate the kidnapping – but additionally about what buildings, assets and contacts might have been used within the background.