18.02.2025 19:30
After the accident in 2013 while skiing in France, Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher, who has been in a coma for 12 years and in a vegetative state, was blackmailed with his medical photos, and the family was demanded to pay £13 million. Three defendants who were tried for blackmailing the Schumacher family were sentenced to prison, and one of the gang members turned out to be Turkish.
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After a skiing accident in France in 2013, Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher, who fell into a vegetative state, had his medical photographs leaked, making headlines worldwide. The family of Schumacher was blackmailed for millions of pounds in exchange for the photographs. A verdict was announced in the case against three men who demanded money from the family.
ONE OF THE GANG MEMBERS TURNED OUT TO BE TURKISH: THEY RECEIVED PRISON SENTENCES
Markus Fritsche, one of Schumacher's former bodyguards, enlisted the help of his friend Yılmaz Toztürkan and his son, an IT expert, to blackmail the family. The man threatened to publish 1,500 photographs, 200 videos, and details of Schumacher's medical care online, demanding £13 million from the family. Toztürkan was sentenced to three years in prison, while the IT expert son received a six-month suspended prison sentence. Fritsche was also sentenced to two years in suspended prison.
THE SCHUMACHER FAMILY SOUGHT HEAVIER PRISON SENTENCES
While Schumacher's family's lawyer found the sentences lenient, he stated that they would appeal the decision. Prosecutors in Wuppertal, Germany, requested a three-year prison sentence for Toztürkan, who is currently in prison for an unrelated crime. However, the Schumacher family requested five years for what they considered a "great betrayal."
Corinna, Michael Schumacher's wife, made a statement following the conviction of three individuals after a blackmail threat regarding the health secrets of the Formula 1 legend. In a statement made on Monday, she said, "We appealed the sentence, which we think is very light for Mr. F. In my opinion, he was the mastermind behind this incident. What still shocks me the most is the significant breach of trust. He should receive a sentence that will deter potential imitators."
EXTERNAL DISK MISSING: THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF THREAT
The Schumacher family's lawyer, Thilo Damm, also stated, "We do not agree with everything the court said. You can be sure that we will use all legal means at our disposal." Damm also expressed concerns about a missing hard drive, despite the defendants' homes being searched multiple times. The family's lawyer said, "We do not know where the missing external drive is. I do not have a crystal ball, but there is another possibility of threat from the back door."
CONFESSION IN COURT: I AM VERY SORRY AND ASHAMED
Yılmaz Toztürkan confessed his crimes in court. He told the court that what he did was very disgusting, saying, "I realized this on the second day in prison. I will pay for this. I am very sorry and ashamed. I will take responsibility for what I did." Yılmaz Toztürkan stated that he received two hard drives from Fritsche in exchange for "a five-figure sum."
WHAT HAPPENED?
Markus Fritsche, one of Schumacher's former bodyguards, was identified as the main suspect in the case. After the accident, Fritsche was hired by Schumacher's wife, Corina Schumacher. Now 53 years old, Fritsche was involved in the care process of the Formula 1 legend for eight years. Later, the family decided to make changes to this care process. Realizing that this decision meant termination, Fritsche prepared a blackmail plan. According to the Daily Mail, the vast majority of sensitive content was removed by Fritsche from Schumacher's estate using four USB drives and two hard drives.
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