A convicted German criminal known as the “broomstick robber” has been charged with blackmail for allegedly trying to force Bayern Munich to part with millions in cash and diamonds by using bomb threats.

Police said on Tuesday the Bundesliga leaders were sent two letters on 9 and 15 February containing threats involving bombs and drones and said that demands for €1m in cash and €2m worth of diamonds were made.

Police in Munich arrested a 63-year-old man, saying he is a former bank robber who was sentenced to over 13 years in prison in 1999 on 17 counts of bank robbery and who was freed on parole in 2009.

During the 1990s the robber made millions when he carried out a string of thefts in which he held hostages and locked bank doors with a broomstick before escaping with the money

The suspect appeared before a judge in court on Tuesday.