VW diesel affair: Diesel process against Winterkorn for the time being stopped

The former “Mr. Volkswagen” is ill long-term and unable to negotiate: In view of the poor health of ex-corporate boss Martin Winterkorn, criminal proceedings for the diesel affair are therefore temporarily stopped. The responsible business criminal chamber sees a temporary obstacle to procedures in the ongoing illness, the Braunschweig district court said.

According to the court, the now 78-year-old Winterkorn is still considered to be unable to negotiate. It is completely open whether the procedure against the former top manager can be ended at all. However, the current decision is more likely to be documented by a legal step in the Code of Criminal Procedure. Neither the state of health in winter grain nor the perspective for the criminal trial must have changed.

Winter grain as a key figure?

Winterkorn was a VW corporation boss when the scandal for manipulation in exhaust gas tests of diesel cars was known in September 2015 by the US environmental authority EPA. Shortly before, VW had granted false test results in the USA. Winterkorn stepped back a few days later and the car manufacturer slid into one of the biggest crises in the company’s history. Since then, Winterkorn has been the key figure of the diesel scandal.

However, the ex-board always emphasized that with his resignation he took over political responsibility, but is back in criminal behavior. In the procedure in front of the Wirtschaftsstrafkammer in Braunschweig, he is accused of commercial fraud, market manipulation and wrongly false statements. The presumption of innocence applies until a final conviction.

Process flood has long since not been processed

According to the carmaker, the diesel affair according to its own statements cost around 33 billion euros and triggered a huge flood of process, which is by no means completely processed. The attempt to assess the role of Winterkorn too legally has been going on for several years. On the current decision of the regional court, neither the Braunschweig public prosecutor’s office nor the defense wanted to comment on request.

Originally, from September 2021, the once best paid manager should sit on the dock in Braunschweig with four other former VW managers. But even before the process started, it became clear that Winterkorn would be missing. His complex had been separated for health reasons.

Prisoner for co -accused

After almost four years of procedure with 175 days of negotiations, the four other managers and engineers were guilty of their role in the exhaust gas scandal a few weeks ago. Two years of prison sentences have to compete, two ex-employees received probation. However, the defense announced immediately after the “wrong judgment”.

After several delays, the individual process against Winterkorn started in September 2024. Visible by several operations, the former CEO emphasized his confidence for the procedure shortly before the start with smile. In his first admission as a accused, he rejected the allegations and saw his successful career damaged by the diesel affair.

Winter grain in court: function neither challenged nor promoted

The indictment does not reflect the attitude that he has taken in almost 15 years as CEO of Audi and Volkswagen. “This also does not correspond to my understanding of how to fulfill your duties in this function,” said Winterkorn at the time. “At that time I neither challenged nor encoured this function or even tolerated their use.”

However, the public prosecutor accuses him of deceiving VW customers about the nature of the cars. In the crucial September days 2015, he is said to have intentionally not informed the capital market about risks through fines in good time. In 2017, he is also said to have misleaded the Bundestag’s committee of inquiry.

An accident in Winterkorn in the home environment interrupted the process after just a few days. Since then it has been open whether and when this long -term procedure can be continued.