Antonio Ferrara faces trial in Belgium for planned German heist

French criminal Antonio Ferrara, known as the ‘roi de la belle’, appeared before a Brussels court regarding a planned armed robbery targeting a secure facility in Bochum, Germany. The prosecution has requested an 18-year prison sentence for Ferrara, who is accused of participating in a criminal conspiracy alongside nine accomplices.

The plot was thwarted in February 2025 during a Belgian police operation in Eupen, near the German border. Authorities intercepted the group at an Airbnb rental, seizing weapons, explosives, and bulletproof vests. Investigators determined the attack on the high-security center, which stores cash and jewelry, was imminent.

Ferrara, 53, has a significant criminal history in France, including convictions for robberies, attempted murder, and two prison escapes. While he contests the charges and appeared at the trial at liberty, he faces potential arrest if found guilty.