Key facts
- Heiress Christina Block denies knowing about the planned abduction of her children.
- The case has triggered Germany's biggest espionage scandal in recent history.
- Former intelligence chief August Hanning arrested for treason and espionage.
- The alleged abduction of the children occurred during New Year 2023-24 in Denmark.
- The children were allegedly held in Baden-Württemberg before being taken by their mother.
Christina Block, heir to a German steakhouse chain, is on trial in Hamburg for allegedly orchestrating the violent abduction of her two children from her ex-husband in Denmark during the New Year 2023-24 celebrations. Prosecutors allege that Block, a lawyer, and an Israeli security firm carried out the operation, involving beatings and unlawful detention. The children were allegedly held in Germany until Block picked them up on January 2, 2024. The case has also led to the arrest of August Hanning, Germany's former intelligence chief, on treason and espionage charges, reportedly linked to an earlier attempted abduction of the children in 2022. Hanning denies the allegations. Block denies knowing about the abduction plans, claiming the security team acted on its own initiative. The trial, which began in July last year, is currently on a two-week hold.