Father expresses anxiety and reports bodily harm during court proceedings
In a highly publicized case, a trial is currently underway in Germany regarding the abduction of two children, shared by Stephan Hensel and his ex-wife, Christina Block.
The children were returned to Hensel in Denmark in early days, following a decision by the Hanseatic Higher Regional Court. However, the events leading up to this point have been fraught with controversy and allegations.
The abduction is believed to have been carried out by employees of an Israeli security company. The incident occurred in November 2022, when unknown individuals appeared at Hensel's house as his Danish wife was about to take the children to school. A neighbor called and warned them about the men, and Hensel and his wife approached the men to explain the children's reluctance to return to their mother.
Hensel's son was wearing an alarm button around his neck during the abduction, which allowed him to alert the Danish police, transmit his location, and communicate. The police arrested the men and several other suspects nearby, and seized two dagger-like knives.
Courts have confirmed that Block had custody and that the father had to return the children. Despite this, Hensel did not return the children to their mother after a weekend visit in August 2021.
The trial is examining numerous pieces of evidence, including photos of injuries that Hensel allegedly sustained during an attack, as well as photos of him standing naked in front of the camera, wearing only underwear. The photos show large bloodstains and bloody scratches.
Hensel testified in the Hamburg Regional Court that the children experienced domestic violence with Mrs. Block. However, Block has repeatedly denied the allegations and accused the father of manipulating the children.
In December 2022, a protest took place outside Hensel's house, organized by a psychologist hired by Christina Block. Fathers' rights groups aimed to raise awareness about parental alienation. The protest was recorded and later posted online, showing the street name and license plates of nearby cars.
The case has also raised concerns about privacy and security, as the protest recorded and posted personal information online. Long before the abduction, Hensel claims his house and family were observed by different security firms. After the children's abduction in spring 2024, Hensel claimed police warned him that his life was in danger due to threats from Danish intelligence. The family took numerous precautions, including moving multiple times and being extra vigilant while jogging.
A criminal investigation was initiated in Denmark, but it was later discontinued. Danish experts have determined that the boy and the girl are traumatized by this ordeal. The trial is ongoing, and a verdict is yet to be reached.
