Reemtsma kidnapper Drach sentenced to 15 years in prison and preventive detention
Because of the shots fired at the security company employees, the court assumed attempted murder, among other things. The verdict was in line with the prosecution's demand, the defense had pleaded for acquittal. Drach is regarded as one of Germany's most dangerous serious criminals and his name is inextricably linked with the kidnapping of patron Jan Philipp Reemtsma in 1996.
Drach's kidnappers held the heir to the tobacco dynasty captive for around a month before Reemtsma was released in exchange for a ransom in the tens of millions. Drach was sentenced to 14 years and six months in prison for the crime in 2000. While still in prison, he was convicted again for attempted incitement to blackmail. He was released in October 2013.
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Drach's criminal activities extend beyond the 1996 kidnapping. In the early 2000s, he was involved in a robbery at a money transporter in Frankfurt on the Main, for which he was sentenced to additional time in prison.
The public prosecutor's office in Bonn pursued Drach for his involvement in this robbery, and he was eventually found liable for the crime.
In the context of his prison sentence, the regional court ruled that Drach should remain in safe custody due to his dangerous behavior and the risk he posed to society.
It was Drach, along with other individuals, who was infamously known as the "Reemtsma hijacker" for his role in the tobacco heir's kidnapping.
Thomas Drach's criminal career spans over several years, including his involvement in the kidnapping of Jan Philipp Reemtsma, the heir to the Reemtsma cigarette factories.
The Reemtsma family has been deeply affected by the kidnapping and Drach's criminal activities. Jan Philipp Reemtsma, in particular, was traumatized by his ordeal and has spoken out publicly about his experiences.
Following his release from prison in 2013, Drach unsuccessfully attempted to launch a kite business in Cologne, indicating his desire for a new start.
However, despite his attempts to reform, Drach's name remains synonymous with serious crime in Germany, serving as a cautionary tale about the consequences of a life of criminality.
In 2018, Drach was condemned once again by the regional court in Frankfurt on the Main for multiple offenses committed while in prison, further adding to his criminal record.
Source: www.stern.de
