Spanish prosecutors have charged Frank Hanebuth with membership in a criminal organization, money laundering, and illegal firearm possession.
A former head of the Hells Angels in Europe could be sentenced to thirteen years in jail if he is found guilty of running a chapter of the motorcycle club tied to organized crime on the Spanish island of Mallorca.
Frank Hanebuth, a German national, appeared in court alongside 49 suspected collaborators from a variety of countries, at least 34 of whom consented to a plea bargain allowing them to pay fines rather than serve prison.
Hanebuth was not interested in making a deal.
Some of the accused were of German, Greek, or British descent and required an interpreter to follow the Spanish-language proceedings.
Three defendants participated via video link from Germany.
Hanebuth has been charged with membership in a criminal organization, money laundering, and unlawful possession of firearms by Spanish prosecutors.
They also request that the judge presiding over the trial punish him €4.2 million (£3.7 million) for the money laundering charge.
In addition to belonging to a criminal organization, additional defendants face up to 38 years in jail. For running a prostitution ring and narcotics trafficking.
According to the criminal accusation, the Hells Angels engaged in illicit activities in Mallorca from 2009 to 2013 under the command of Hanebuth.
Authorities: Hanebuth appointed members who committed crimes including extortion, prostitution, illegal firearms acquisition, and robbery in famous tourist destinations.
According to authorities, they also purchased real estate in Mallorca and the nearby island of Ibiza.
It is thought that the Hells Angels in Europe picked Mallorca due to the high number of foreign inhabitants. And other money laundering and drug trafficking activities.
According to the accusation, the Mallorca chapter of the gang attracted members from as far away as the Dominican Republic and Morocco.
Paul Witworth, a British friend of Hanebuth who maintained ties to the Adams family. One defendant, the Clerkenwell Crime Syndicate, pleaded guilty.
According to the prosecution, Hanebuth maintained contact with his German headquarters in Hannover.
The experiment is anticipated to run for several weeks.
