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[BUSINESS] · Germany · 5 sources

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Markus Braun criticizes six-year pretrial detention

Markus Braun Wirecard fraud trial pretrial detention German financial scandal

Former Wirecard CEO Markus Braun has criticized the length of his pretrial detention, stating that six years of custody is “in no way justified.” In an interview with Der Spiegel, Braun argued that for non-violent crimes, pretrial detention should be limited to a maximum of approximately one year.

Braun also advocated for shorter trial durations, suggesting a limit of 50 trial days. The ongoing Wirecard trial has already significantly exceeded this duration, partly due to numerous motions filed by the defense. While Braun and his legal team are seeking an acquittal, he admitted that expecting one is “completely reckless,” suggesting that the prolonged detention indicates the court does not intend to acquit him.

Braun has been in custody since the summer of 2020, following the collapse of the DAX-listed company Wirecard. The collapse occurred after 1.7 billion euros in reported assets could not be located. Prosecutors allege that Braun and accomplices fabricated revenues over several years to deceive lending banks, estimating the total fraud damage at three billion euros. Braun continues to deny all allegations.

Entities

Der Spiegel · Markus Braun · Wirecard

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

Ex-Wirecard-Chef Braun beklagt sechs Jahre Untersuchungshaft [www.op-online.de]
Markus Braun attackiert Gericht und rechnet nicht mit Freispruch | Aktuelle Nachrichten aus Deutschland und der Welt - upday News [www.upday.com]
Ex-Wirecard-Chef Braun beklagt sechs Jahre Untersuchungshaft [www.dk-online.de]
Ex-Wirecard-Chef Braun beklagt sechs Jahre Untersuchungshaft [www.noz.de]
Ex-Wirecard-Chef Braun bereut seinen Umgang mit Marsalek [www.n-tv.de]