Defendants in Volkwagen Emissions Scandal Call Themselves Scapegoats, Claim Innocence
Those involved in the Volkswagen exhaust emission scandal view themselves as wronged parties
The trial over the manipulation of emission values at Volkswagen is getting ready to wrap up, and three of the four defendants may be facing jail time. Before the verdict comes out, the alleged managers and engineers are having their final statements. Each has made it clear that they don't share the prosecution's view, and the investigation against them has been a significant part of their lives for nearly a decade. With personal and sometimes emotional contributions, they've described the nearly four-year-long trial at the Braunschweig Regional Court as draining and exhausting.
From the prosecution's standpoint, these four ex-managers and engineers of the Wolfsburg carmaker have participated in fraud. The prosecution believes that three of the four defendants will not be adequately punished with probation, demanding between three to four years in prison for them. On the other hand, the defense is arguing for three acquittals and a warning. The verdict in this trial might come as early as next Monday.
These gentlemen, who are facing jail time, have stated they were stunned by the demanded sentence, which comes ten years after the scandal became public. They also found the pleas for the other defendants to be "irritating and shocking." The trial before the economic crimes chamber had issues from the start, as it seemed to be one person's word against another.
Separate Trial Against Former CEO Winterkorn
Some engineers who are said to have proposed the defeat device have declared, "We expressed concerns and warned of consequences." Superiors have retorted, "We spoke about issues, but never about illegal actions." In September 2015, it was revealed in the US that the car manufacturer had been deceiving emission values on a massive scale. VW implemented a widespread fraudulent program that recognized emission tests and then activated full emission cleaning.
The defendants in the Braunschweig trial mainly defend themselves against accusations, viewing themselves as scapegoats. Criticism of the trial has persisted due to the absence of former CEO Martin Winterkorn, whose case was split off for health reasons. The case against the 77-year-old was separated out.
Sources: ntv.de, lar/dpa
- Braunschweig
- Justice
- Trials
- Volkswagen
- Automotive Industry
- Affairs and Scandals
Enrichment Data:
In the Volkswagen emissions scandal trial, the four defendants—Heinz-Jakob Neusser, Jens H., Hanno J., and one unnamed individual—have portrayed themselves as scapegoats in a complex situation. They have consistently maintained that they did not engage in any illegal activities. They argue that if deception or the use of defeat devices were occurring, they were not privy to such information [2][3].
Critical Claims in Their Defense
- Lacking Awareness: They claim they weren't aware of any fraudulent intent or actions. They argue that if illegal activities were taking place, it was not something they were part of or informed about [2].
- Scapegoats for Broader Issues: They complained about the absence of former CEO Martin Winterkorn, whose case was separated due to health reasons. They feel they are being made to pay for actions they did not initiate or support [2][3].
- Emotional Stress: The defendants have discussed the emotional burden of the nearly four-year-long trial, emphasizing the personal cost of the investigation, which they feel has been excessively prolonged [3].
The defense is asking for three acquittals and one warning, which contrasts with the prosecutors' demands for prison sentences ranging from three to four years for three of the defendants and a suspended sentence for the fourth [2][3]. The trial is approaching its completion, with the verdict expected on May 26, 2025 [2][3].
- The defendants in the Volkswagen emissions scandal trial, including Heinz-Jakob Neusser, Jens H., Hanno J., and one unnamed individual, have posited that they are scapegoats in a complex situation, insisting they did not participate in any illegal activities and were not privy to fraudulent intent or actions.
- The defense argues that the lengthy four-year trial has been emotionally taxing for the defendants, emphasizing the personal cost of the investigation, which they believe has been unduly prolonged.
- The lack of former CEO Martin Winterkorn in the trial, whose case was separated due to health reasons, has been a recurring criticism leveled against the proceedings, with the defendants feeling they are being unjustly held accountable for actions they did not authorize or support.
