display
Braunschweig (dpa) - The fraud trial against Martin Winterkorn planned from the end of February could be postponed due to health problems of the former Volkswagen group boss.
On request, the Regional Court of Braunschweig stated that the competent chamber had obtained expert advice on the defendant's ability to stand trial.
The public procedure (Ref .: 6 KLs 23/19), in which Winterkorn's role in the diesel emissions affair is to be investigated, could only start with a delay.
However, the court did not comment on specific details and deadlines.
From Winterkorn's environment it was said that ultimately the Braunschweig Economic Criminal Chamber must decide on the further termination.
The "Süddeutsche Zeitung" and the Norddeutsche Rundfunk had previously reported on the development.
According to the planning so far, the main negotiation, which has been prepared for a long time, is to begin on February 25th and should continue until at least spring 2023.
display
Last October, the regional court had already drawn up a first overview of the dates, but it could now falter - according to reports, possibly by up to several months.
Winterkorn (73) is said to be sitting in a wheelchair by now.
He is also reportedly facing an important operation that could further disrupt the courtroom's timing.
In the "Dieselgate" trial, four other executives are charged with charges of commercial fraud and gang fraud.
In September 2015, VW admitted tampering with emissions levels after inspections by authorities in the USA.
The software of certain engines was set in such a way that significantly more toxic nitrogen oxides were emitted on the road than in tests.
The revelations kicked off the diesel scandal, which has cost the company well over 30 billion euros in legal expenses to date.
In addition, a deep crisis of confidence gripped the entire automotive industry.
Winterkorn resigned shortly after the manipulations were exposed.
He was "not aware of any wrongdoing," he said at the time.
Before an investigative committee of the Bundestag he also emphasized that he had not known anything about illegal deception beforehand.
The Braunschweig public prosecutor's office nevertheless charged him after a lengthy investigation.
In the meantime, rumors of a possible termination of the proceedings had also made the rounds because the prosecutors had to rework some points.
display
With a view to a possible postponement, the district court stated: "The ability of a defendant to stand trial requires his ability to sensibly represent his interests inside or outside the hearing, to conduct the defense in an intelligible and understandable manner and to issue and receive statements of law."
Should this ability be impaired, breaks or interruptions could also be an option to go through the procedure.
The question is, however, whether this would be realistic in the plan initially set with several appointments per week over many months and given Winterkorn's constitution.
Experts help to assess this.
In the end, however, the court has to decide.
Winterkorn also has to be prepared for a process for alleged market manipulation in the emissions scandal.
The dates for this were not known recently.
A market manipulation procedure against the current VW group boss Herbert Diess and against the former CFO and current supervisory board chairman Hans Dieter Pötsch was set against the payment of 9 million euros.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210108-99-947891 / 2