Key Witness Implicates Eugen Block and Family Lawyer in Block Kidnapping Trial
Hamburg, May 21 – A pivotal witness in the ongoing Block kidnapping trial at the Hamburg Regional Court provided testimony on Wednesday, directly implicating Hamburg entrepreneur Eugen Block and the family’s lawyer. The witness, an Israeli national who previously worked for a security firm, had been a close associate of Christina Block, the children’s mother, in the months preceding the New Year’s Eve 2023 abduction.
During her testimony, the 51-year-old witness, who reportedly used the name “Olga” at the time, faced Christina Block in court for the first time since the kidnapping. She smiled at Block as she took her seat, less than a meter away from the accused.
Family Lawyer Allegedly Hired Future Kidnappers
The witness detailed how she and the team subsequently involved in the kidnapping were initially hired by the Block family’s lawyer. Their initial task was to gather information about the children’s lives with their father in Denmark. Christina Block’s ex-husband had retained custody of the two children after a visitation weekend, subsequently preventing any contact with the Block family.
Eugen Block Increased Pressure for Children’s Return
Over time, Eugen Block, Christina Block’s father, reportedly exerted increasing pressure to retrieve the children. The family lawyer, in turn, escalated these demands to the security firm, according to the witness. While she did not explicitly state whether Christina Block was aware of the full plan, the witness mentioned that Block had given her a bag containing the children’s belongings on the night before the New Year’s Eve abduction. Christina Block has consistently denied any knowledge of the kidnapping plot.
The prosecution considers the witness a suspect, and she was granted safe conduct for her testimony in Hamburg.
Co-Defendants Must Continue Attending Trial
Following the Israeli key witness’s testimony, there was an emotional outburst from Christina Block’s cousin, who is also a co-defendant on charges of aiding and abetting. She and her husband have been required to attend every day of the trial for months. Both are self-employed and have suffered significant financial losses due to their mandatory court appearances. Their lawyers had requested that they be excused from personal attendance, but the court denied this request on Wednesday, leading to the cousin breaking down in tears.
In contrast, Christina Block’s ex-husband reacted with visible satisfaction to this decision. An NDR reporter observed him clenching his fist triumphantly.
Updates on the Block Trial
The trial had previously been delayed due to the Iran-Israel conflict. Recently, the alleged driver involved in the kidnapping traveled from Israel to testify. Earlier reports indicated that an investigator stated Christina Block had spoken of a “repatriation” of the children. More witnesses from Israel are expected to testify via video link next week.
A neighbor had also contacted the lawyer of Block’s ex-husband, Stephan Hensel, to testify about alleged harsh parenting methods. Christina Block denies these accusations.
Background of the Block Kidnapping
The children of Hamburg entrepreneur Christina Block were abducted in Denmark on New Year’s Eve 2023. Details of the case, which commenced on July 11, continue to unfold in court.
This topic was featured in the NDR Fernsehen | Hamburg Journal at 6:00 PM on May 20, 2026.
Other news from Hamburg includes a demonstration against anti-Semitism, with an Israeli flag hoisted at Hamburg City Hall after one was burned during a protest. Additionally, striker Königsdörffer is transferring from HSV to Mainz after four years, and the AfD faced mockery in the Bürgerschaft for denying the consequences of climate change.
In tennis news, Hanfmann and Auger-Aliassime were eliminated from the Rothenbaum tournament, and a verdict in a 40-year-old murder case of a trans person is expected next week. An exhibition of “Forbidden Books” is also a cultural highlight at the Millerntorwache.
