Overview
- After a three‑week pause, judges allowed the in‑court questioning of David Barkay to proceed despite defense objections over late‑arriving audio files.
- Barkay testified that his first meeting with Christina Block in January 2023 was emotional and that he was asked to draft a plan and gather data for the custody fight.
- He described a cash advance of €150,000 and total costs discussed around €200,000–€250,000, said instructions flowed via the family lawyer, and stressed his plan foresaw no violence.
- Prosecutors recently questioned two additional Israeli suspects under safe‑conduct, saying their statements bolster the case that the operation was commissioned.
- A 36‑year‑old co‑defendant has already confessed to taking part in the New Year’s 2023/24 snatch from Denmark, with the children later returned by court order.