Two men plead guilty in blackmail plot involving Formula One legend Michael Schumacher

A father and son pleaded guilty in a German court on Tuesday to conspiracy to blackmail Michael Schumacher's family by threatening to release photographs of the Formula One legend. The men from Wuppertal, western Germany, made the confession at the start of their trial in the city, a court spokesman said. Yilmaz T. and Daniel L. The people, identified as , reportedly threatened to release private photos and videos of Schumacher and demanded 15 million euros ($15.7 million) from his family. These reportedly included photos of the seven-time Formula One champion before and after a 2013 skiing accident that left him with a severe brain injury.

Schumacher, 55, has not been seen in public since.

A third man, accused of providing the photographs to the other two defendants, was also prosecuted for his alleged role in the conspiracy, but pleaded not guilty.

The man, identified as Markus F. from the western German town of Wuelfrath, worked as a security guard at the Schumacher family residence in Switzerland until 2021.

Prosecutors accused the suspect of selling images of Schumacher acquired during his work to father and son for a “five-figure” sum.

According to prosecutors, Yilmaz T. called an employee of the Schumacher family several times in June this year demanding money.

The employee demanded proof of the images, which were delivered from a new email address that was said to have been set up by the suspected blackmailer's son.

The court has scheduled a total of five hearings through mid-February.