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The Hamburg Prosecutor’s Office has seized audio recordings of conversations made in connection with the podcast ‘House of Block’. ‘Die Zeit’ newspaper views this as an attack on press freedom and is taking legal action against the seizure.
Press Freedom vs. Legitimate Investigation
The Hamburg Regional Court ordered the search of a ‘Zeit’ author’s apartment and editorial offices to obtain recordings of an interview. These recordings are of conversations with the children of the Hamburg Block family, conducted just days after their abduction by their father in Denmark on New Year’s Eve 2023.
Recordings Made Shortly After Abduction
The ‘Zeit’ author visited the family in Denmark in January 2024, shortly after the children were returned to their father. She recorded her conversations, and excerpts from these have been published in her podcast ‘House of Block’. On Monday morning, officers from the Prosecutor’s Office and the State Criminal Police Office arrived at the author’s door. The search did not proceed as the author handed over the recordings directly.
‘Zeit’ Fights Back Against Seizure
‘Die Zeit’ announced that the audio recordings were handed over sealed, and the seizure was opposed. They emphasized the special protection afforded to media companies. “Press freedom, in particular, includes source protection, which is crucial for independent reporting. We will therefore defend ourselves with all legal means,” said ‘Zeit’ editors-in-chief Giovanni di Lorenzo and Jochen Wegner.
‘Zeit’ Not Accused in the Case
The court argues that the threatened search and seizure of the interview material is intended, among other things, to verify the credibility of witnesses. The criminal chamber must extend the taking of evidence to all facts and evidence relevant to the decision in order to ascertain the truth in a trial. ‘Die Zeit’ itself is not accused in the proceedings. “The conversation with the children and the father was conducted by the ‘Zeit’ journalist so soon after the incident that the recordings could be very good evidence,” said court spokeswoman Marayke Frantzen to NDR.
Journalist Associations Condemn Authorities’ Actions
Sharp criticism also came from journalist associations. “The actions of the authorities at the start of Hamburg’s Press Freedom Week raise serious questions about the protection of journalistic work,” said Mika Beuster, federal chairman of the German Journalists’ Association (DJV). Journalistic interviews should not simply become an investigative tool for criminal justice. Reporters Without Borders called it a serious attack on press freedom: “Journalistic research material must not become an aid to law enforcement,” emphasized managing director Christian Mihr.
Children Reportedly Suing Christina Block for Child Support
According to a media report, a case before the district court concerns financial support for the three children who live with their father in Denmark.
What the Block Case Has to Do with the Espionage Suspicion Against Hanning
The former BND chief was arrested. Apparently, he is incriminated by findings from searches in connection with the Hamburg Block trial.
Block Trial in Hamburg: Further Schedule Outlined
Closing arguments are scheduled to begin in no more than a month. The presiding judge announced this on Tuesday.
Source: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/hamburg/block-prozess-staatsanwaltschaft-beschlagnahmt-aufnahmen-der-zeit,house-of-block-100.html
