Overview

• Stephan Hensel continued testifying, describing panic attacks and nightmares in the two children since the New Year’s Eve 2023/24 incident and reiterating that his daughter wishes to testify.
• Defense attorneys pressed Hensel on years of family conflict to challenge his credibility, prompting frequent disputes over questions and courtroom admonishments for decorum.
• Court-appointed child psychologist Dr. Schüler-Springorum offered to attend future hearings and proposed an anamnesis conversation with Christina Block, which Block agreed to pursue.
• Hensel said he considered traveling to Israel to encourage investigations after media comments by a suspect; prosecutors have confirmed a lawyer for an Israel-based suspect signaled cooperation, and one Israeli co-defendant has already given detailed statements.
• Parallel investigations tied to an earlier failed attempt included searches at 13 locations in Germany and Switzerland last week, with inquiries involving former BND chief August Hanning and a retired LKA officer, who deny wrongdoing and are not charged in the current case.