Court Denies Daughter's Participation in Block Case, Trial at Risk of Collapse

The ongoing trial against Christina Block, an heiress to a steakhouse fortune, faces significant challenges as her 14-year-old daughter has been denied the status of a co-plaintiff. This decision was confirmed by a spokesperson for the Hamburg District Court, following a ruling by the Higher Regional Court that also rescinded the approval of Block's 11-year-old son as a co-plaintiff. The defense had filed a complaint regarding the inclusion of the children, leading to the interruption of the proceedings.

Originally, the court had scheduled a statement from Christina Block, but now the trial is at risk of being postponed or even restarted. The legal questions surrounding the case stem from potential conflicts of interest involving the children's father, Stephan Hensel, who alleges that these conflicts may arise as he himself participates as a co-plaintiff in the case.

In a dramatic incident on New Year's Eve 2023, Hensel was reportedly assaulted while attempting to secure the safe return of his children from Denmark, where they had been unlawfully detained by Block for over two years. Following the incident, Hensel was awarded custody of the children, further complicating the legal landscape as he seeks to represent their interests.

In response to his concerns about possible conflicts of interest, Hensel reached out to the victim support organization, Weisser Ring, which recommended legal representation for the children. For his daughter, the appointed attorney, Steffen Hörning, has firmly stated that there are no conflicts of interest and emphasized that he has conducted all discussions with her privately, solely focusing on her welfare.

The daughter is eager to provide her testimony during the public trial, hoping to share her experiences alongside her mother. According to the prosecution, the children were forcibly taken from their home on the night of the incident by masked individuals, which left the daughter in distress, fearing for her brother's safety.

Given that the children reside in Denmark, the Hamburg District Court intends to consult with Danish authorities regarding the potential appointment of a guardian ad litem, who would be authorized to represent the children's interests in this legal matter. Such a process could be time-consuming and raises questions about whether the trial can proceed as scheduled on July 25.

It remains uncertain if the court will choose to delay the trial or address preliminary matters until the legal questions regarding the children's representation are resolved.