Proceedings in the Volkswagen diesel case against Winterkorn have been temporarily halted by the Landgericht.
In the ongoing saga of the "Dieselgate" affair, the latest update on the criminal proceedings against Martin Winterkorn, the former CEO of Volkswagen AG, has been announced. Due to ongoing health issues, Winterkorn's trial has been provisionally suspended, with no final verdict or sentencing as of June 2025.
Winterkorn, who served as CEO of Volkswagen from 2007 to 2015, was initially charged in 2019 in relation to the emission test manipulations that came to light in the Dieselgate scandal. However, the complex nature of the case and Winterkorn's health problems have delayed the conclusion of his trial.
Despite the suspension, the 16th Criminal Chamber of the Regional Court of Brunswick views this as a temporary obstacle to the proceedings. The court has deemed Winterkorn unfit for trial due to his illness, and his court appearance was noted to have occurred in June 2025.
It's important to note that this suspension does not imply a final verdict in the Dieselgate affair for Winterkorn. The ongoing investigation into his role in the scandal continues, and the court's decision regarding the suspension does not affect the ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, four out of five senior VW executives involved in the scandal have been found guilty and sentenced. Two have received actual prison time, while two have received suspended sentences. However, Winterkorn's case remains pending, with delays attributed primarily to his health.
In addition to his role at Volkswagen, Winterkorn also served as CEO of Porsche Automobil Holding SE from 2009 to 2015. As the Dieselgate affair unfolds, the public and the automotive industry continue to watch the proceedings closely for any further developments.
[1] The Guardian. (2025). Martin Winterkorn's trial in VW emissions scandal delayed due to health issues. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jun/01/martin-winterkorn-trial-in-vw-emissions-scandal-delayed-due-to-health-issues
[2] Reuters. (2025). Martin Winterkorn's trial in VW emissions scandal delayed due to health issues. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-vw-emissions-winterkorn-idUSKCN25H25R
- The ongoing criminal proceedings against Martin Winterkorn, the former CEO of Volkswagen AG, are related to policy-and-legislation and politics, as they involve charges in relation to the emission test manipulations that came to light in the Dieselgate scandal.
- The suspension of Winterkorn's trial due to health issues is relevant to general-news, as it marks a temporary halt in the proceedings but does not imply a final verdict or sentencing, while the ongoing investigation into his role in the scandal continues.
