# Christina Block child abduction trial

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/christina-block-child-abduction-trial
> Updated: 2026-09-30T11:39:00.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 3.

The criminal trial of Christina Block, heiress to the Block House steakhouse chain, continues at the Hamburg District Court. Block is accused of hiring an Israeli security firm to forcibly abduct her two children, Klara and Theo, from their father’s home in Gråsten, Denmark, during a custody dispute on New Year’s Eve 2023/24.

In a podcast series by Die Zeit, the children and their father, Stephan Hensel, provided firsthand accounts of the incident. Klara, now nearly 16, described the “terror of the night” when masked men attacked her father and kidnapped the children, who were reportedly moved through southern Germany before being reunited with their mother.

During the proceedings, Gerhard Delling, a former sports presenter and partner of Block, testified that he had no knowledge of the planned abduction. Delling stated that the legal proceedings have severely impacted his life and noted that while the children shared a close bond with Block, he never witnessed any violence against them. He described witnessing Block in a state of intense grief.

Earlier developments in the trial included concerns from defense attorney Dr. Ingo Bott regarding a potential ten-year prison sentence, particularly after the presiding judge suggested that Block’s cousin could be viewed as a “co-perpetrator” rather than an accomplice.

## Claims

- Gerhard Delling denied involvement or knowledge regarding the alleged kidnapping. (disputed by 3 sources)
- Gerhard Delling is charged with aiding and abetting the kidnapping of two children. (disputed by 3 sources)
- Christina Block is accused of hiring an Israeli security firm to kidnap her children from Denmark to Germany. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Delling testified to the extreme emotional distress and despair of Christina Block. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Delling testified that he never witnessed any violence by Christina Block against her children. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-30: Gerhard Delling denies involvement in Block child abduction trial

Gerhard Delling has denied aiding and abetting the alleged kidnapping of Christina Block's children from Denmark to Germany, testifying in a Hamburg court that he had no knowledge of the operation.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gerhard-delling-denies-involvement-in-block-child-abduction-trial

### 2026-09-29: Christina Block kidnapping trial: Children recount New Year's Eve abduction

Children of Christina Block have spoken out about their New Year's Eve kidnapping in Denmark, describing the violence and terror as their father was attacked by masked men during a bitter custody dispute.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/christina-block-kidnapping-trial-children-recount-new-years-eve-abduction

### 2026-09-27: Christina Block faces trial for alleged child abduction

Christina Block, heiress to the Block House chain, faces trial in Hamburg for allegedly orchestrating her children's abduction. Her lawyer warns of a potential ten-year prison sentence.

12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/christina-block-defense-attorney-fears-severe-sentence-in-kidnapping-trial

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Cite as: Christina Block child abduction trial. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/christina-block-child-abduction-trial