Emissions scandal Ex-VW boss Winterkorn rejects accusations in the diesel scandal

Ex-VW boss Martin Winterkorn denies any guilt shortly before the trial against him regarding the diesel affair. "Our client firmly rejects the accusations made against him," said his defense lawyer Felix Dörr at the start of the trial in Braunschweig Regional Court.

Winterkorn is neither the "main defendant" nor the "main person responsible" for the diesel scandal at the Wolfsburg-based car manufacturer nine years ago. His position as CEO at the time alone does not justify qualifying him in this way and making him responsible for the diesel engine issue in all its facets. "We are confident that we will achieve a good result for our client," said Dörr.

In the proceedings before the Economic Criminal Chamber, the 77-year-old is accused of commercial fraud, market manipulation and making false statements. The presumption of innocence applies.

Winterkorn defense lawyer: proof of personal guilt required

The emissions scandal came to light in September 2015 as a result of investigations by US environmental authorities and scientists and had swept Winterkorn out of office. With his resignation, the Board of Management accepted political responsibility, but denied any criminally relevant conduct. At the start of the trial, defense attorney Dörr pointed out that criminal law requires proof of the personal guilt of every defendant.

The defense's message is clear: the court must prove that the important information reached the then CEO of the car giant. The central point for all three accusations is therefore the question of knowledge and the time of knowledge of the use of critical software in US vehicles, said Dörr. Only once this had been established could the further prerequisite of criminal liability be examined.

Defense: "Not deceived"

For the defense, it is at least certain that Winterkorn "did not deceive" and "did not harm anyone". Nor did he deliberately leave the capital market in the dark or tell the Bundestag's committee of inquiry untruths. Almost 90 dates have been scheduled for the criminal trial until September 2025.