Hells Angels leader released on bail

THE alleged leader of the Hells Angels in Europe, Frank-Armin Hanebuth, has been released from prison after paying bail of €60,000.
His main man in Mallorca, Khalil Youssafi, paid the same amount to be released under the conditions of the National Court.
Both have had to hand in their passports, are banned from leaving Spain and have to appear in court every day.
They have been in prison on remand since July 2013 and the term had been extended by the judge, but their lawyers appealed the situation and got them released on bail.
National Court judge, Eloy Velasco, who is handling the case, intends to try 55 alleged members and collaborators of the Hells Angels for belonging to a criminal organisation, blackmail, prostitution, human trafficking, fraud, holding persons against their will and money laundering, amongst other crimes.
The investigation began in 2009 following the appearance of a chapter of the biker gang in Mallorca with members from Turkey. It broke up in 2011, but a new chapter began to operate in 2012. In June 2013, an operation against the gang resulted in 18 people in prison, and 12 more released on bail. One of the gang’s main sources of income was prostitution.
Hanebuth was allegedly the leader of Hells Angels in Hannover, Germany, and considered one of the main leaders of the gang in Europe. He had only been in Mallorca for two months.
Amongst the detainees there were also two Palma Local Police officers, one recently sentenced for beating a detainee, and a Guardia Civil officer. They are accused of providing information to the gang to make it easier for them to operate on the island in exchange for bribes.