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Boris Becker before the London trial
Photo: TOLGA AKMEN / AFP
Boris Becker wants to defend himself against allegations by a British authority that he should not have cooperated sufficiently in connection with his bankruptcy proceedings.
Becker appeared for a hearing in a London court on Thursday, from which the case was referred to Southwark Crown Court.
His client will "vigorously defend himself against the allegations," said Becker's lawyer Jonathan Caplan.
As reported by the Guardian, among others, Becker faces up to seven years imprisonment if convicted.
Becker was declared insolvent by a UK court in 2017.
In fact, bankruptcy proceedings in the country can be completed after just one year.
In the Becker case, however, it was extended after the bankruptcy administrator complained that the former tennis professional had withheld information from him.
In addition, the insolvency requirements against Becker were extended by twelve years last year - because he is said to have not reported transactions properly.
Accordingly, he must submit to certain restrictions in Great Britain by 2031 - for example, it is more difficult for him to get a loan of more than 500 pounds.
Becker had repeatedly emphasized that he was not broke.
And he also denied the allegations of the information withheld.
His German media lawyer Christian-Oliver Moser told SPIEGEL last year that Becker had not "embezzled or concealed" any assets from the insolvency administrator.
He stated that these assets - "which, in his opinion, are not due to him at all" - merely stated too late.
A little later, Becker himself spoke of a "delayed flow of information in insolvency proceedings".
The responsible insolvency authority is now conducting criminal investigations against the 52-year-old Becker, as he is said not to have worked with the authorities as the requirements stipulate.
In the ongoing proceedings, he is faced with 19 specific allegations of failure to transfer information to the insolvency authorities.
In all 19 cases, Becker pleaded innocent.
The kick-off at Southwark Crown Court is scheduled for October 22nd.
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lmd / dpa / AFP
