Volkswagen diesel scandal trial delayed in Braunschweig

The fourth major fraud trial regarding the Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal has been delayed at the Braunschweig Regional Court. The proceedings were interrupted after one of the three defendants failed to appear due to health reasons, a justification the presiding judge deemed insufficient.

Three former executives face allegations of participating in the development of illegal defeat devices or failing to act against their further development. One defendant also faces charges of making a false unsworn statement. The scandal, which emerged in 2015, involved software designed to manipulate nitrogen oxide emissions during testing.

This delay continues a lengthy legal process that has lasted over eleven years. Previous trials in the matter resulted in prison and probation sentences for several individuals, while the proceedings against former CEO Martin Winterkorn were previously suspended due to his health.