Markus Fritsche, former bodyguard of Formula One legend Michael Schumacher, has been sentenced to two years in prison for attempting to extort £12 million (€14.5 million) from the Schumacher family.
Michael Schumacher ’s former aide, Markus Fritsche , is facing a two-year jail sentence after being convicted of attempting to blackmail the Schumacher family. Fritsche was accused of plotting to extort £12 million (€14.5 million) by threatening to release 1,500 images, 200 videos, and confidential medical records about the retired Formula One champion.
These materials, allegedly stored on four USB sticks and two hard drives, were taken from the Schumacher family home after Fritsche was asked to leave his position as the former driver’s bodyguard. Fritsche enlisted the help of longtime friend Yilmaz Tozturkan and his son, Lins, to carry out the blackmail scheme. However, their plan unravelled when Tozturkan and his son were arrested by German police in June 2022 following surveillance. The trio stood trial in Wuppertal, Germany, where Fritsche received a two-year prison sentence. Tozturkan, who was already serving time for an unrelated crime, was given an additional three-year term, despite the Schumacher family advocating for a five-year sentence. Lins received a six-month suspended sentence. Both Tozturkan and Lins maintained their innocence, claiming they were offering the Schumacher family a “business deal” rather than engaging in blackmail. Tozturkan expressed remorse before the verdict, stating, “I'm very sorry and ashamed for what I have done. It was a very disgusting thing. I take full responsibility.” The Schumacher family’s lawyer, Thilo Damm, indicated their intention to appeal the sentences, deeming them “lenient.” He stated, “We do not agree with everything the court said. You can rest assured that we will exhaust all legal possibilities at our disposal. “We don't know where the missing hard drive is, I don't have a crystal ball but so there is the possibility of another threat through the backdoor.” Prior to the trial, details of the multi-million pound plot emerged. It was alleged that Tozturkan used a withheld number to contact the Schumacher family on June 3, 2022, informing them about the compromising material. A week later, four images were allegedly sent to the family, accompanied by a month-long deadline to pay the extortionate sum or face the release of the content onto the dark web. The payment was to be made in two installments at the office of the Schumacher family’s lawyer. However, the plot was foiled when Tozturkan and his son were apprehended by German police on June 19, 2022, following surveillance. A joint investigation by Swiss and German police concluded in September 2022.
Michael Schumacher Blackmail Extortion Markus Fritsche Formula One Germany Court Case
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