18 years sought against Antonio Ferrara for foiled security centre robbery in Germany
The Brussels prosecutor's office has sought 18 years in prison against French robber Antonio Ferrara, implicated in a hold-up plot in Germany. Nine of his co-accused's defence counsel left the courtroom after a clash with the court.
Heavy sentences sought against Ferrara and his accomplices in the German security centre case
The Brussels prosecutor's office sought 18 years in prison on Monday against Antonio Ferrara, a French repeat offender robber known by the nickname "king of the beautiful", according to DHnet. Sentences of ten and fifteen years were sought against his nine co-accused, all suspected of having planned from Eupen the burglary of a security centre in Germany — an establishment where central banks centralise their cash and valuables — scheduled for 27 February 2025.
The substitute prosecutor of the King estimated, despite general denials, that there was no doubt about the participation of all ten defendants in this "ambitious but foiled" project. The suspects had been identified simultaneously by French, Belgian and German authorities. A joint Franco-Belgian investigation team had been set up, the ten men placed under surveillance, then arrested on the day planned for carrying out the act.
Ferrara's lawyers leave the courtroom
Monday's hearing opened with a procedural incident. Ferrara's defence — composed of Me Olivier Martins, Me Philippe Dehapiot and Me Henri Canet — filed a new motion to disqualify the judges, reiterating a request already rejected at a previous hearing. The court dismissed this motion, ruling that it was not bound by its suspensory nature.
The tone rapidly escalated between the lawyers and the court. Unable to reach agreement, the three defence counsel left the courtroom, leaving Ferrara, in his own terms, "orphaned". The case resumed where it had left off on 26 May, at the close of the hearing investigation.
General denials, only one partial admission
During the day's hearings, the five defendants questioned all denied any participation in the project. Only T.B., owner of one of the four vehicles seized on 27 February, provided an explanation: he claimed he had been recruited for a "go fast", tasked according to his account with "going to fetch some grass". The defendants questioned at previous hearings, including Ferrara himself, had refused to answer the judges' questions.
Attempted murder and arsenal of weapons
On 27 February, during their arrest, one of the fleeing vehicles nearly hit an officer from the special units of the federal police. The defendant Y.B. is therefore also being prosecuted for attempted murder. The magistrate sought 18 years in prison against him, on the same basis as Ferrara and two other defendants in a state of recidivism.
Searches conducted during the investigation had uncovered an arsenal comprising automatic weapons, handguns, explosives and fake police uniforms.
The trial is taking place before the 46th chamber of the Brussels correctional tribunal. The judges' decision is expected in the coming weeks.
Source: DHnet