Nine years after Dieselgate: Winterkorn's process begins in Braunschweig

Nine years after Dieselgate: Winterkorn's process begins in Braunschweig

The countdown is running: Martin Winterkorn, former CEO of Volkswagen, faces a long expected process. Almost nine years after the diesel affair became known, which is one of the largest scandals in the automotive industry, Winterkorn's role as a accused is illuminated again. This is done before the district court in Braunschweig, where he is charged to commercial fraud, market manipulation and wrongly false statements. The reading of the indictment is scheduled for early Tuesday morning.

The story began in September 2015 when US environmental authorities and scientists discovered that Volkswagen had made exhaust gas manipulations in millions of vehicles. These revelations led to a massive loss of trust in the company, numbered people complain and fines and cost the company billions. In the middle of this turbulence, Winterkorn resigned and once noticed that his name stands for the diesel affair, but rejected any personal responsibility. "The presumption of innocence" remains as an important principle.

The long way to the process

As early as 2024, Winterkorn commented as a witness in a civil process and described the allegations that are raised against him as "incorrect". This happened in the context of a procedure of investors against VW, while at the same time he is against himself in several criminal proceedings. The Braunschweig public prosecutor has levied allegations of fraud and market manipulation, while in another procedure the accusation of the false statement in the Bundestag is added.

The criminal process should include a variety of appointments, a total of almost 90 meetings by September 2025 are scheduled. However, there are increasing reports on the health constitution of the 77-year-old who raise questions about the feasibility of the schedule. Winterkorn is said to travel from Bavaria to Lower Saxony almost every week to take part in the negotiations, which is an enormous burden for its battered health.

"Maybe the ruthless education is coming now," many observers wondered. In an apology video from 2015, the ex-manager admitted that he himself did not have all the answers to the questions. However, it remains uncertain whether there have been new knowledge over the years that Winterkorn is now willing to share with the court.

The legal disputes about the diesel affair are diverse. There have already been judgments, fines and some procedural settings based on money. Nevertheless, many important details about the exact processes and backgrounds remain in the dark. Despite three years of negotiations, an earlier fraud against other ex-managers from VW did not provide any significant knowledge of the events around the scandal. Originally, Winterkorn should have already been charged in this procedure, but due to health problems, his case was separated and is now finally coming.