Former chief executive of the Volkswagen Group, Martin Winterkorn, has alleged that the judge overseeing the criminal trial regarding his purported involvement in the diesel emissions scandal has exhibited bias. This information was disclosed to dpa on Monday. Winterkorn’s defense team, in a letter addressed to the Braunschweig Regional Court in central Germany and reviewed by dpa, articulated that the former executive has lost confidence in the objectivity of the presiding judge assigned to his case. The legal proceedings against Winterkorn encompass accusations of commercial fraud, market manipulation, and providing false information in connection with the infamous Dieselgate scandal. Initially slated to commence in September, Winterkorn’s trial encountered a delay due to medical reasons subsequent to an accident suffered by the accused.
Recently, the court rescheduled the trial to commence in February 2025, pending a court-mandated evaluation of Winterkorn’s health. In light of these developments, Winterkorn’s legal representatives have submitted a motion seeking to disqualify the judge on grounds of perceived bias. The allegations stem from the revelation in 2015 by American regulatory authorities that certain Volkswagen diesel engines had been programmed to deceitfully manipulate the results of emissions tests. Once regarded as one of Germany’s highest-paid corporate leaders, Winterkorn relinquished his position in the aftermath of the scandal while consistently refuting any personal responsibility in the illicit scheme. The progression of Winterkorn’s trial has been marked by recurrent adjournments due to health-related concerns.
