(4 Jan 2001) Natural Sound
Former Wimbledon tennis champion Boris Becker has begun testifying in a Miami courtroom.
In a hearing to determine whether his battle for custody of his children would be made public, Becker described threats against himself and his family.
Barbara Becker, 33, the daughter of a former U-S Army medical corps official, filed a petition for support and custody of their two sons in a Miami court in mid-December.
Becker, in turn, filed for divorce in Munich.
His lawyers said he wanted the boys returned to Germany.
Under the Hague Convention, children should remain where they lived before their parents’ divorce.
But Barbara has taken the two children to the couple’s Miami home, leading her husband to accuse her of kidnapping them.
In turn she has accused him of trying to terrorize and abuse her psychologically.
She was not present in court as Becker attempted to keep the case private by describing threats against his family.
SOUNDBITE: (German with English translation)
“Since the day I had a wife and children I had five or six security personnel who secured the entire family around the clock.
Q: Is there any information that you tried to keep private to help with your security?
“Yes of course, even today as we speak there are threats against my family.”
SUPER CAPTION: Boris Becker
SOUNDBITE: (German with English translation)
Q: Mr Becker why have you asked this court to seal the court file and close the proceedings to the press?
“Because I’m afraid for the lives of my children and my wife.”
SUPER CAPTION: Boris Becker
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