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Hamburg Court Confirms Self-Reading Order as Block Trial Breaks for Christmas Recess

The judges opted to streamline the case by shifting hundreds of records into private reading to keep the sprawling file manageable.

Overview

  • The panel upheld the Selbstleseanordnung despite objections from Christina Block’s lead counsel, who argued key records must be read aloud in open court.
  • Defense lawyer Ingo Bott pressed for the public reading of a separate 2023 indictment against ex-husband Stephan Hensel and Astrid Have tied to a 2021 non-return incident in Denmark.
  • The continued examination of a 68-year-old Israeli security-company CEO, treated by investigators as the suspected organizer, was postponed after three days of prior questioning.
  • The court held only a brief session for procedural rulings before the break, with the next hearing scheduled for January 8 and additional dates penciled in through June.
  • Prosecutors said two other Israeli suspects have been questioned under safe-conduct arrangements and are expected to appear as witnesses in the proceedings.