Frank Hanebuth: Former Hells Angels leader and 49 alleged collaborators appear in Spanish court | World News
A former European Hells Angels frontman could face up to 13 years in prison if found guilty of running a motor club branch linked to organized crime on the Spanish island of Mallorca. .
Frank Hanebuth, a German national, appeared in court alongside 49 alleged collaborators from a variety of countries, at least 34 of whom agreed to a plea agreement that would allow them to pay fines instead. sentence period.
Hanebeth was not looking for a deal.
Some of the defendants were of German, Greek or English descent and needed interpreters to follow developments in Spanish.
Three of the defendants joined via video link from Germany.
Spanish prosecutors have charged Hanebuth with membership in a criminal organization, money laundering and illegal possession of weapons.
They are also asking the judge overseeing the trial to fine him 4.2 million euros (£3.7 million) for money laundering.
In addition to belonging to a criminal organization, the other defendants were also charged with operating a prostitution ring and drug trafficking, and faced 38 years in prison.
The Angels of Hell conducted illegal activities in Mallorca from 2009 to 2013 under Hanebuth’s leadership, according to the criminal indictment.
Prosecutors said Hanebuth appointed members to then commit crimes including extortion, prostitution, illegal weapons purchases and robbery in popular tourist destinations.
Prosecutors said they also moved into properties in Mallorca and the nearby island of Ibiza.
The Angels of Hell in Europe are said to have chosen Mallorca because of its large population of foreign residents and other money-laundering and drug-trafficking schemes.
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According to the indictment, the Mallorca branch of the gang has a strong international character, with recruits coming from as far away as the Dominican Republic and Morocco.
One of the defendants who pleaded guilty was Paul Witworth, a British associate of Hanebuth, who prosecutors say maintained links to the Adams family, a notorious UK gang also known called the Clerkenwell Crime Organization.
Prosecutors said Hanebuth also continued to maintain his German base in Hanover.
The trial is expected to last several weeks.