A German steakhouse heiress's abduction trial sets off a spy scandal

Christina Block, heir to the Block House steakhouse chain, is accused of ordering an Israeli security firm to abduct two of her children from Denmark after a custody battle with her former husband. She denies it.

The charges

• Abduction of minors
• Grievous bodily harm
• Unlawful detention

Prosecutors say the children, then 10 and 13, were taken during New Year celebrations in 2023-24 while their father was beaten. Block and two others are charged with abduction of minors, grievous bodily harm and unlawful detention.

Evidence found by investigators led to the arrest this month of Germany's former intelligence chief, August Hanning, 80, charged with treasonous espionage. His lawyer says the charges are unfounded.

Documents Hanning is accused of buying

2,000 documents

Investigators found evidence suggesting Hanning bought some 2,000 documents from his former chief of staff and passed state secrets to foreign powers, which have not been named.

What's next

The Hamburg trial, under way for 15 months, is on hold for two weeks after a witness failed to appear. All the accused deny wrongdoing except one Israeli man, who says he thought it was a rescue.