German court convicts four ex-Volkswagen managers of fraud in emissions scandal

By Euronews with AP

Published on 26/05/2025 - 20:04 GMT+2

Four erstwhile Volkswagen executives person been recovered blameworthy of fraud for their domiciled successful nan alleged "Dieselgate" emissions-cheating ungraded that shook nan automotive manufacture a decade ago.

Judges astatine nan Commercial Criminal Chamber successful nan German metropolis of Braunschweig sentenced nan erstwhile caput of diesel improvement to 4 and a half years successful prison, and nan caput of thrust train electronics to 2 years and 7 months.

The different 2 defendants received suspended sentences of 15 months and 10 months. All 4 were responsible for various aspects of motor exertion astatine nan carmaker.

The ungraded began successful 2015, erstwhile nan United States Environmental Protection Agency issued a announcement of violation.

It accused nan institution of rigging motor power package to fto diesel-powered cars walk emissions tests while they successful truth emitted acold much contamination erstwhile really driving them.

The ungraded was a awesome situation for nan company, which has since paid much than €33 cardinal successful fines and compensation to conveyance owners.

However, contempt nan verdict aft a four-year trial, this is acold from nan extremity of nan story.

Monday’s condemnation tin beryllium appealed wrong a week and prosecutors are continuing successful their bid to find retired really wide nan emanation fraud was known wrong nan company.

There are besides reportedly respective different criminal proceedings pending.

Originally, erstwhile Volkswagen Group CEO Martin Winterkorn was expected to beryllium successful nan dock. However, his portion of nan proceedings was separated successful September 2021 aft his defence claimed he could not look for wellness reasons.