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Boris Becker in London: The ex-tennis professional faces up to seven years in prison
Photo: Dave Rushen / imago images / ZUMA Wire
Boris Becker said the same words 28 times on this day in Southwark Crown Court in London: "Not guilty."
With every single one of the charges that the British bankruptcy authorities accuse him of anew.
Accounts, real estate, trophies - it is a confusing list of high sums and possessions that the former tennis professional is said to have withheld in bankruptcy proceedings.
"This case is about the fact that large amounts of money were hidden," said the lawyer responsible.
The 52-year-old faces up to seven years imprisonment if convicted (read more about the background here).
Among other things, Becker is accused of hiding trophies and medals from his tennis career from the insolvency administrator.
Including the trophy for his historic first Wimbledon victory in 1985.
In addition, he is said to have concealed real estate and bank balances and also transferred large sums to the accounts of his former partners Barbara and Lilly Becker.
A million pounds
The allegedly concealed bank balances should amount to a good one million pounds, the equivalent of 1.1 million euros.
The lawyer at the bankruptcy authority accuses him of all of this.
Becker was declared insolvent by a UK court in 2017.
In fact, bankruptcy proceedings in England can be completed after a year.
But not in the Becker case: its editions were recently extended by twelve years - even then due to incomplete information.
Cardboard boxes full of bank receipts
The authorities collected boxes full of bank receipts and evidence - Becker did not provide a plausible explanation for the inconsistencies.
Becker's attorney Jonathan Caplan said his client was "determined" to "challenge" the charges and restore his reputation.
The three-time Wimbledon winner and six-time Grand Slam champion remains at large - but not uncontrolled.
If he wants to travel, which he often does for his commentary jobs, Becker has to register with the insolvency authorities two days in advance.
His passport is on file with the lawyers.
The court rejected an application to relax these requirements.
There is a certain risk that Becker could otherwise move abroad and one would lose control over him.
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jpz / dpa / AFP / AP
