Cologne Regional Court - "Last word" for Thomas Drach: Possible verdict
The verdict could be reached on Thursday in the trial against Thomas Drach for spectacular robberies of cash-in-transit vehicles. On the 100th day of the trial at Cologne District Court, the defendant will first have the opportunity for the "last word" (9.15 am). The chamber will then announce whether it will pass sentence on the same day or schedule a separate date.
The trial against Germany's most famous felon has been running for almost two years. According to the indictment, the German is alleged to have committed four spectacular robberies of cash transporters in Cologne, Frankfurt am Main and Limburg in Hesse in 2018 and 2019. The 63-year-old is also charged with attempted murder: In two of the crimes, he is alleged to have shot at cash carriers, and the two men suffered serious injuries. Drach denies all charges.
The public prosecutor's office has demanded a prison sentence of 15 years for Drach, followed by preventive detention. This would mean that he would be transferred to a secure detention facility after serving his sentence and would remain behind bars. The defense lawyers had pleaded for acquittal.
In 1996, Drach had kidnapped Jan Philipp Reemtsma, heir to the Hamburg tobacco dynasty Reemtsma, and released him for ransom. He was sentenced to fourteen and a half years in prison for the crime.
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- The Cologne Regional Court, located in North Rhine-Westphalia, is set to deliver its verdict on Thursday in the process involving Thomas Drach, a suspect accused of multiple robberies of money transporters in Cologne, Frankfurt am Main, and Limburg in Hesse.
- In addition to the robberies, Drach is also charged with two counts of attempted murder, as he allegedly fired at cash carriers during two of the incidents, leading to serious injuries.
- The trial against Drach, which began over two years ago, has seen the public prosecutor's office demanding a 15-year prison sentence for the defendant, followed by preventive detention, to ensure his continued incarceration after serving his time.
- Interestingly, Drach has a previous conviction from 1996, when he was sentenced to fourteen and a half years in prison for kidnapping Jan Philipp Reemtsma, the heir to the Hamburg tobacco dynasty Reemtsma, and releasing him for a ransom.
- This latest trial in Hamburg has highlighted the pervasive issue of criminality in Germany, as Drach is once again under scrutiny for allegations of robbery and attempted murder, raising concerns about the safety of money transporters across the country.
Source: www.stern.de
