Overview
- David Barkay, 68, the alleged organizer of the operation, resumes testimony in Hamburg after the court began questioning him on Wednesday under a safe-conduct arrangement.
- He described a spring 2023 meeting at the Hamburg restaurant Gallo Nero with Christina Block, partner Gerhard Delling, and family lawyer Andreas Costard, plus a “Bring Kids Home” chat used to plan the children’s return.
- His account challenges the defense claim that his firm acted independently on a cybersecurity brief, citing pressure to return the children before Christmas and work focused on the custody dispute.
- The court is considering additional embezzlement charges tied to months of free lodging for the Israeli team at the family’s Grand Elysée hotel, with a possible loss exceeding €200,000 and an alleged role by Costard as hotel board chair.
- Investigators have reviewed messages indicating payments labeled as a “penetration test,” the children have been admitted as co-plaintiffs, and the father remains a co-plaintiff as proceedings continue.