Michael Schumacher’s wife, Corinna, has released a rare public statement after sentences were handed down in a extortion trial.
She has also confirmed that the family will appeal one of the convictions – against the family’s former bodyguard who avoided jail time.
Sentences were handed down to three defendants, with two presentstern.de Michael’s wife Corinna has since issued a statement, confirming an appealAFPThree men were sentenced by the Wuppertal District Court over an extortion plot in which a former security employee used sensitive stolen videos and photos to attempt to gain money from the family.
The photos are believed to be of Michael, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion who has not been seen in public since a skiing accident in 2013.
Markus Fritsche, the family’s bodyguard of eight years, didn’t attend the trial and has been given a two-year suspended sentence.
Responding to the news, Corinna said in a statement: “We have appealed against what we believe to be a far too lenient sentence for Mr. F.
“In my eyes, he was the mastermind behind this. What still shocks me most is the massive breach of trust. He should receive a punishment for this that will deter potential imitators.”
Of the three to receive jail time was Yilmaz Tozturkan – the main defendant who blackmailed the family over the phone – who has been given three years in prison.
His son, Lins, received a six-month suspended sentence for aiding and abetting, but the Schumacher family is not appealing against either of these sentences.
The brother and son of the defendants, Noah, later caused a fuss when he was dragged away from the media by the family’s lawyer.
Lins said in a statement: “It was a very, very disgusting thing that I did.
“I realised that on the second day in prison. I will take responsibility for it.”
The son and brother of the defendants was dragged away by a lawyer when speaking to the mediastern.deHis lawyer later added: “My client has apologised several times for the mess he made.
“His contribution to the crime was extremely minor: he had only set up an email address for his father without giving it much thought.”
During the trial, prosecutors claimed that Fritsche worked with Yilmaz and Lins to take around 1500 images and 200 videos as well as personal medical details.
The items were allegedly put on four USB drives and were going to be put on the internet unless the family paid them £12million.
It’s also claimed that the plot was enacted on June 3 when Tozturkan called the family on a withheld number to inform them he had the photos and made threats that he would release them.
Lins then sent images to the family on June 11, telling them they had a month to send the £12m in two payments.
However, a week later on June 19 Tozturkan and his son Lins were arrested by police in Germany.
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