Schumacher Blackmail Trial Begins in Germany

Michael Schumacher's former bodyguard, Markus Fritsche, and two accomplices are on trial in Germany for allegedly attempting to blackmail Schumacher's family for £12 million by threatening to release private photos and medical records. Fritsche, who was dismissed by the family after changes to Schumacher's care plan, allegedly stole 1,500 photos, 200 videos, and sensitive medical information stored on USB drives from the family home in Switzerland. The accomplices include Fritsche's son, Daniel Lins, a computer expert, and Yilmaz Tozturkan, a nightclub bouncer. The suspects allegedly contacted the Schumacher family, threatening to publish the stolen material on the dark web unless the ransom was paid. The plot was foiled when Swiss authorities traced a phone call back to the suspects, leading to their arrest. Michael Schumacher has been kept out of the public eye since a 2013 skiing accident left him with a severe brain injury, and his family has maintained strict privacy regarding his condition.