(The 1st paragraph correctly reads: between 33 and 47 years)

HAMBURG (dpa-AFX) - The regional court has sentenced five of the six defendants to several years in prison in the trial over the multi-million gold and silver thefts at the Hamburg copper producer Aurubis. Only one defendant (50) received a suspended sentence of two years. An unusual trial has come to an end, said the Chairman of the Grand Criminal Chamber, Nils Godendorff, on Friday. Five defendants between the ages of 33 and 47 received prison sentences of between three years and five years and ten months for aggravated gang theft or commercial handling of stolen goods.

According to the chamber, the stolen material is said to have weighed almost 5,000 kilograms and is estimated to be worth around ten million euros. The perpetrators are said to have sold the loot to as yet unknown buyers. According to the indictment, the majority of the stolen goods were sent to metal processing companies in the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul for analysis and further use.

According to the indictment, the defendants had transported the intermediate and by-products from the Aurubis company site in the Veddel district in various constellations between February 2020 and January 2021. According to the public prosecutor's office, the so-called crude silver fegsel contained around 85 percent silver, but also around 3 to 5 percent gold. The raw silver residues are produced during metal recycling and treatment processes.

The trial involved twelve criminal offenses. Some of the defendants worked for Aurubis or for external companies that were active on the site.

Aurubis was the target of criminals in several cases until recently. Last December, when presenting its annual results for 2022/23 (September 30), the company reported a shortfall in metals worth 169 million euros. Due to the long undiscovered damage, CEO Roland Harings and two other board members have to leave the company early. This was announced by Aurubis on January 23 after a meeting of the Supervisory Board.

## Correction

- the 1st paragraph reads correctly: between 33 and 47 years (not: 33

and 50 years)/let/DP/jha