Freiburg, Jan. 15, (dpa/GNA) – The trial of a fugitive who led police on a six-day manhunt through the Black Forest before finally being captured is to start in Germany on Friday.
In July last year, the defendant identified in Germany as Yves R threatened four officers with a pistol and stole their service weapons after they visited him at a garden shed he was squatting in on the edge of the forest.
The man disappeared into the woods, triggering a large-scale manhunt involving hundreds of officers supported by thermal imaging cameras, search dogs and helicopters. He was eventually captured near the small town of Oppenau, west of Stuttgart.
The 32-year-old man faces charges including hostage-taking and battery, which could land him 15 years in jail or more.
The defendant has not commented the charges. He will have the opportunity to make a statement on Friday.
A sentence in the trial is expected on February 19.
GNA