The trial of Hamburg entrepreneur Christina Block over the alleged abduction of her children is expected to continue until February 2027. A court spokesperson said 15 new hearing dates had been scheduled through February 24, extending the timetable beyond the dates previously planned, which ran until December 18.
The proceedings at Hamburg Regional Court have already been extended several times, with developments in the case delaying the start of closing arguments. The trial has so far held 84 hearing days.
The latest extension follows a legal dispute over audio recordings seized from a journalist at Die Zeit. It remains unresolved whether conversations with the abducted daughter of Block and Stefan Hensel may be used as evidence.
Block, 53, is accused of commissioning an Israeli security company to take her two youngest children from their father’s home in southern Denmark to Germany after a bitter custody dispute. She denies the accusation. Six other people are also charged, including Block’s partner, Gerhard Delling, a former sports presenter who also denies wrongdoing. The next hearing is scheduled for November 6.
Separately, a Danish court ruled that Block must pay maintenance to the three children living with their father in Denmark, although the amount is considerably lower than her former husband had sought.
Sources: Der Spiegel.