German steakhouse heiress trial sparks espionage scandal

Abduction allegations in Hamburg courtroom

For months, a Hamburg courtroom has been the stage for a drama that’s gripped Germany. Christina Block, heiress to the Block House steakhouse chain, stands accused of orchestrating the violent abduction of her own children from Denmark. The case has drawn enormous media attention, not just for the alleged crime but for the web of intrigue it’s uncovered. But the trial, which began in July last year, is only part of a story that has now reached into the heart of Germany’s intelligence services.

Prosecutors say Block and family lawyer Andreas Costard hired an Israeli security team to snatch two of her children from their father, Stephan Hensel, during New Year celebrations in 2023-24. The children, then aged 10 and 13, were allegedly ambushed as they watched fireworks with their father. Hensel was beaten, and the children were dragged into a car, their mouths taped and hands tied. They were then taken across the border and held in Baden-Württemberg until Block picked them up two days later.

A bitter custody battle turns violent

The abduction didn’t happen in a vacuum. Block and Hensel had been locked in a custody dispute for years. After their separation, all four children lived with Block in Hamburg. Hensel later moved to Denmark, where the children visited him. In 2021, the two youngest stayed with him and weren’t returned. A Hamburg court ruled Block had custody, but a Danish court later said the children couldn’t be taken back. Hensel has accused Block of violence toward the children, which she denies. In court, she called the whole situation “a catastrophe” and insisted she never wanted anything like that.

But the head of the Israeli security team, David Barkay, has testified that Block and Costard knew about the operation. Barkay, described by a witness as a former Mossad agent, said he didn’t share all details because he “didn’t trust them”. He faces future legal proceedings. Meanwhile, Jonathan G, the alleged on-the-ground leader, has admitted involvement but claimed he thought it was a rescue operation. Block’s partner, former TV presenter Gerhard Delling, and three others face aiding and abetting charges.

Espionage scandal rocks intelligence community

Yet the most explosive twist came not from the courtroom but from a search of a suspect’s home. Investigators looking into a 2022 attempted abduction found evidence that led to the arrest of August Hanning, Germany’s former intelligence chief. The 80-year-old is now in custody, charged with treasonous espionage. Prosecutors allege he bought around 2,000 documents from his former chief of staff and passed state secrets to foreign powers. Which power remains unspecified, fueling widespread speculation. Hanning’s lawyer says the charges are “unfounded” and that his client is being “unjustly persecuted”.

Hanning’s case is separate from the Hamburg trial, but the connection is unavoidable. He allegedly arranged security staff for the earlier abduction attempt. His arrest has stunned the intelligence community. As for the Block trial, it’s currently on hold for two weeks after a witness failed to appear. After 15 months of delays and extensions, the end is still not in sight.