For over half a century, Block House has been a staple on the German high street, known for its family-friendly steakhouses and signature dishes like the “classic Block burger” and filet mignon. However, the Hamburg-based chain is currently in the spotlight for a much different reason: an intense custody battle involving Christina Block, heiress to the family business, and her ex-husband over their two youngest children.
The case has captured public attention due to its sensational elements, including allegations of involvement by Israeli spies and a former head of Germany’s domestic intelligence service. The legal drama, which had mainly unfolded behind closed doors and, unusually for Germany, in the tabloid press, has now reached a courtroom in Hamburg.
Allegations of Abduction and Espionage
Amidst intense media scrutiny, Christina Block stands trial at a high-security court in Hamburg, accused of aggravated child abduction, grievous bodily harm, and unlawful detention. The charges center around claims that she hired a global security firm for the violent, cross-border kidnapping of her children. If found guilty, Block could face up to 10 years in prison.
Alongside Block in the dock is Gerhard Delling, a former TV sports journalist and her romantic partner since 2021. Delling is accused of aiding and abetting the alleged abduction. The courtroom, typically reserved for terrorist trials, underscores the gravity of the accusations, which include alleged involvement by former Israeli intelligence agents.
“Be quiet, otherwise we’ll kill you,” one of the alleged kidnappers reportedly told the children during the abduction.
The Incident and Legal Proceedings
According to the charges, Block allegedly orchestrated an ambush on her ex-husband, Stephan Hensel, and their children during a New Year’s celebration in southern Denmark. The children, then aged 10 and 13, were reportedly dragged into a forest, restrained, and threatened. Danish police, alerted by an alarm attached to the boy, quickly pursued the kidnappers.
The children were taken to a farmhouse in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, and held until Block retrieved them. They were later returned to Denmark by police. Both Block and Delling deny the charges, claiming the security firm acted independently and that Block’s late mother financed the operation.
Complex Web of Accusations
Block also faces accusations of attempting to frame Hensel by planting false evidence of child abuse on his property, a charge she denies. Her defense argues that she acted out of desperation after Hensel allegedly kept the children in Denmark against a German court’s custody ruling.
Among the alleged accomplices is August Hanning, a former head of Germany’s federal intelligence service, accused of facilitating contact between Block and the Israeli firm. Hanning, who publicly supports Block, denies any involvement in the abduction.
Legal and Emotional Implications
The high-profile trial, expected to continue until Christmas, will hear from 141 witnesses and 22 experts. The case has already seen tense courtroom interactions, with Block and Hensel sitting in close proximity but avoiding contact. Their daughter, now 14, has expressed a desire to testify, although the court has adjourned to consider the implications of her testimony.
Block’s defense team is eager to challenge Hensel’s claims that she poses a danger to their children. Meanwhile, Hensel has been granted custody by a Danish court, a decision Block has unsuccessfully contested in Germany. The children now live with their father in Denmark under new identities.
“The custody battle has caused much heartache,” said Eugen Block, the patriarch of the Block House business, lamenting the years without contact with his grandchildren.
Looking Ahead
The trial’s outcome could have significant repercussions for all involved, including potential impacts on international custody laws and the reputations of those accused. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case continues to captivate public interest, highlighting the complex intersections of family, business, and international intrigue.
