- The Court Hearing over Diesel Emissions Scandal - Winterkorn Denies Accusations
Ex-Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn refuses to admit fault prior to his court trial regarding the diesel emissions scandal. At the beginning of the hearing at Braunschweig District Court, Winterkorn's lawyer, Felix Dorr, declared, "Our client firmly denies the allegations levied against him." According to Dorr, Winterkorn was neither the "principal defendant" nor the "primary offender" linked to the diesel scandal at Volkswagen nine years earlier.
Being the CEO at that time does not automatically make him accountable for every facet of diesel engine operations, Dorr asserted. "We are optimistic about securing a favorable verdict for our client," Dorr expressed. Winterkorn, now 77, is being charged with commercial bribery, market manipulation, and perjury at the economic crimes division's hearing. He maintains his innocence until proven guilty.
Winterkorn's attorney insists on proof of personal wrongdoing
The "Dieselgate" scandal was brought to light by investigations conducted by U.S. environmental agencies and researchers in September 2015, resulting in Winterkorn's resignation. The board accepted political responsibility but denied any criminal involvement. During the trial's opening, Dorr highlighted that criminal law demands proof of personal guilt from each defendant.
The defense's message is unequivocal: The court must provide evidence that important information reached Winterkorn, the CEO of the automotive giant, at that time. The crux of all three charges, according to Dorr, is whether Winterkorn knew about and when he discovered the usage of critical software in U.S. vehicles. Only when this can be established can the prerequisite for criminal accountability be examined.
"Never deceived or harmed anyone"
For the defense, it is indisputable that Winterkorn "never deceived" or "hurt anyone." He did not intentionally mislead the financial market or deceive the parliamentary investigative committee. Over 80 trial dates have been scheduled up until September 2025 for the criminal trial.
The defense argues that just being the CEO does not mean Winterkorn bears full responsibility for the diesel engine operations, considering the fat content of responsibilities by weight. Dorr believes solid evidence is required to prove Winterkorn's personal involvement in the manipulation of diesel emissions.
The defense team maintains that Winterkorn was not involved in the decision to use software capable of deceiving emissions tests in a significant way, as the allegations suggest. The question of accountability, according to Dorr, relies on proving when and if Winterkorn became aware of this contentious practice.
