Overview
- Proceedings opened at the Wuppertal regional court on November 14 with the indictment to be read and defendants' statements planned.
- Five hearing days are scheduled through early December under presiding judge Markus Quantius.
- The first-instance verdict gave the main accused three years in prison, his son six months on probation, and the ex-security employee two years on probation with a monetary condition.
- Prosecutors say the family was told to pay €15 million under threat of publishing private photos, videos and medical records on the Darknet, with 900 photos and nearly 600 videos seized as evidence and one hard drive unaccounted for.
- Both the family as joint plaintiffs and all three defendants appealed; two men confessed earlier while the former security aide denied involvement.