Four Ex-VW managers convicted in Germany over diesel scandal
Berlin - Four former Volkswagen AG managers were convicted by a German court for their roles in the diesel-emission scandal, involving the manipulation of millions of cars and causing €2.1 billion (S$3.1 billion) in damages to drivers.
Jens Hadler, who led diesel-engine development from 2007 to 2011, was sentenced to 4.5 years in prison over the sale of more than 2 million affected vehicles. Former top engineer Hanno Jelden received 2 years and 7 months for aggravated fraud linked to the sale of nearly 3 million cars.
After a four-year trial, the Braunschweig Regional Court on May 26 also handed former executive Heinz-Jakob Neusser a suspended sentence of 1 year and 3 months for his role in the emissions-cheating scheme, which began after it was discovered that vehicles were fitted with software to sidestep pollution rules.
Another lower-ranking manager who can only be identified as Thorsten D. got a suspended sentence of 1 year and 10 months. All had sought acquittals.
Nearly a decade after the 'dieselgate' scandal broke, the verdicts are the tribunal's first in the criminal probe targeting senior staff at VW's main brand. The men were charged in 2019 with having vehicles equipped with emission-software manipulation in a case that concerned 9 million cars sold in Europe and the United States. During the trial, the court narrowed the case to fewer than 4 million vehicles.
The core of the allegations was that cars were equipped with so-called defeat devices leading to two different sets of emissions, depending in whether the vehicles were tested in the lab or used on the streets, Presiding Judge Christian Schütz said when delivering the verdict. On the streets, in a 'real drive' scenario, emissions of toxic nitrogen oxides were much higher than during testing, he said.
The diesel affair sparked global outrage and triggered the departure of VW's former chief executive officer Martin Winterkorn from the company in September 2015, just days after US authorities disclosed their investigation. Volkswagen itself had settled the criminal probe in 2018 by paying €1 billion to German prosecutors.
The scandal has so far cost the carmaker more than €33 billion, including hefty sanctions that were part of a deal with US authorities. The company is still facing civil litigation in its home country, including a €9 billion investor class action.
All sentences were reduced due to the long time the prosecution took. Judge Schütz also stressed that they weren't the only ones responsible for the scam and that many others at VW participated. However, all the accused had leading roles and they committed crimes for many years.
While the US has quickly charged and convicted several VW managers, Germany has lagged behind. Rupert Stadler, the former chief executive officer of VW's Audi unit, was sentenced to a suspended term in 2023 but that verdict is still pending on appeal. Ex-VW chief executive Herbert Diess and VW chairman Hans Dieter Pötsch settled a market-manipulation probe in 2020, both agreeing to pay €4.5 million.
Dozens of probes against other employees were dropped or they were allowed to settle and some later testified in the trial, stirring criticism by the current defendants who say they have been singled out and made scapegoats.
'We weren't part of these decisions and we wouldn't have agreed to all of them,' Judge Schütz told the accused at the May 26 hearing.
There are still 31 people indicted in Braunschweig who are waiting to be tried over dieselgate. The next case is scheduled to start in November.
Neusser and Hadler are also among executives charged by the US for their involvement in the scandal. Because Germany doesn't extradite its own citizens to nations outside the European Union, they have so far escaped prosecutions in the US. BLOOMBERG
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Hong Kong issues bounties for 19 overseas activists on subversion charges
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Hong Kong's security police said the activitsts 'organised, established or participated in a subversive organisation called the Hong Kong Parliament'. HONG KONG - Hong Kong issued bounties for information leading to the arrest of 19 overseas activists on July 25 , accusing them of national security crimes under a law imposed by Beijing in 2020. The city's security police said 19 activists 'organised, established or participated in a subversive organisation called the Hong Kong Parliament', referring to a pro-democracy NGO established in Canada. The police accused the group of seeking to 'overthrow and destroy' China's fundamental system of government 'by unlawful means'. A reward of HK$200,000 (S$32,610) each was offered for 15 of the activists, while the four others were already wanted for HK$1 million, the police said in a statement. As of July 1, Hong Kong authorities had arrested 333 people for alleged national security crimes, with 165 convicted in Hong Kong. AFP
Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Straits Times
Over 100,000 Thai civilians flee amid clashes with Cambodia as death toll rises to 14
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Evacuees rest as they take shelter in a gymnasium on the grounds of Surindra Rajabhat University in the Thai border province of Surin on July 25, 2025. BANGKOK - More than 100,000 people have fled the bloodiest border fighting between Thailand and Cambodia in a decade, Bangkok said on July 25, as the death toll rose and international powers urged a halt to hostilities. A long-running border dispute erupted into intense fighting with jets, artillery, tanks and ground troops on July 24, with the UN Security Council set to hold an emergency meeting on the crisis on July 25. The Thai interior ministry said more than 100,000 people from four border provinces had been moved to nearly 300 temporary shelters, while the kingdom's health ministry announced that the death toll had risen to 14 – 13 civilians and one soldier. Cambodian newspaper Khmer Times reported that as of 6am local time on July 25 (5am Singapore time), both countries' troops were still fighting, with shelling continuing in several areas in the early hours of the morning. 'Cambodian forces have conducted sustained bombardment utilising heavy weapons, field artillery, and BM-21 rocket systems,' Thailand's military said in a July 25 statement . 'Thai forces have responded with appropriate supporting fire in accordance with the tactical situation.' In the Cambodian town of Samraong, 20km from the border, AFP journalists reported hearing distant artillery fire on July 25 morning. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore HDB resale price growth moderates in Q2, more flats sold Business GIC posts 3.8% annualised return over 20 years despite economic uncertainties Business GIC's focus on long-term value aims to avoid permanent loss amid intensifying economic changes Opinion No idle punt: Why Singapore called out cyber saboteur UNC3886 by name Asia Cambodia and Thailand are willing to consider ceasefire: Malaysian PM Anwar Singapore Prison officer accused of taking bribes to smuggle nude photos, prescription drugs to inmate Sport 'We can match Malaysia or do even better', say Singapore's divers Business MAS' measures spark cautious optimism for Singapore stock market revival: Analysts As the guns started up, some families packed their children and belongings into vehicles and sped away. 'I live very close to the border. We are scared because they began shooting again at about 6am,' Pro Bak, 41, told AFP. He was taking his wife and children to a Buddhist temple to seek refuge. 'I don't know when we could return home,' he said. AFP journalists also saw soldiers rushing to man rocket launchers and speeding off towards the frontier. Debris is pictured on the ground at Phanom Dong Rak Hospital, which sustained damage after being hit by Cambodian artillery, in the Thai border province of Surin on July 24, 2025. PHOTO: AFP Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet urged citizens in a July 24 Facebook post to uphold 'morality and dignity' and avoid any actions that could harm the Thai Embassy, Thai companies, or Thai nationals residing in Cambodia, reported Thai newspaper The Nation. 'For Cambodian citizens who are living, working, or studying in Thailand and may be facing pressure from discrimination and wish to return to Cambodia, please come back to our country,' he said, adding that those who require assistance can contact the Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Bangkok or the Consulate-General of Cambodia in Sa Kaeo Province in Thailand. Calls for calm The fighting marks a dramatic escalation in a long-running dispute between the neighbours – both popular destinations for millions of foreign tourists – over their shared 800km frontier. Dozens of kilometres in several areas are contested and fighting broke out between 2008 and 2011, leaving at least 28 people dead and tens of thousands displaced. A UN court ruling in 2013 put to rest the matter for over a decade, but the current crisis erupted in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a new clash. Fighting on July 24 was focused on six locations, according to the Thai army, including around two ancient temples. Cambodia fired rockets and shells into Thailand, while the Thais scrambled F-16 jets to hit military targets across the border, with ground troops on both sides, backed up by tanks, battling for control of territory. Both countries blamed each other for firing first, while Thailand accused Cambodia of targeting civilian infrastructure, including a hospital hit by shells and a petrol station hit by at least one rocket. July 24's clashes came hours after Thailand expelled the Cambodian ambassador and recalled its own envoy after five members of a Thai military patrol were wounded by a landmine. Diplomatic sources told AFP that the UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on July 25 over the clashes. The meeting, requested by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, will be held behind closed-doors at 1900 GMT (July 26, 3am Singapore time), the sources said. Cambodia downgraded ties to 'the lowest level' on July 24, pulling out all but one of its diplomats and expelling their Thai equivalents from Phnom Penh. The United States urged an 'immediate' end to the conflict, while Cambodia's former colonial ruler France made a similar call. The EU and China – a close ally of Phnom Penh – said they were 'deeply concerned' about the clashes, calling for dialogue. 'The United States urges an immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and a peaceful resolution of the conflict,' State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott told journalists. Britain's foreign ministry on July 24 advised against all but essential travel to parts of Cambodia and Thailand. AFP, REUTERS, THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Business Times
5 hours ago
- Business Times
Thailand says over 100,000 civilians flee clashes with Cambodia
[SURIN, Thailand] More than 100,000 people have fled the bloodiest border fighting between Thailand and Cambodia in a decade, Bangkok said on Friday, as the death toll rose and international powers urged a halt to hostilities. A long-running border dispute erupted into intense fighting with jets, artillery, tanks and ground troops on Thursday, and the UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting on the crisis later Friday. The Thai interior ministry said more than 100,000 people from four border provinces had been moved to nearly 300 temporary shelters, while the kingdom's health ministry announced that the death toll had risen to 14 - 13 civilians and one soldier. In the Cambodian town of Samraong, 20 km from the border, AFP journalists reported hearing distant artillery fire on Friday morning. As the guns started up, some families packed their children and belongings into vehicles and sped away. 'I live very close to the border. We are scared because they began shooting again at about 6.00 am,' Pro Bak, 41, told AFP. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up He was taking his wife and children to a Buddhist temple to seek refuge. 'I don't know when we could return home,' he said. AFP journalists also saw soldiers rushing to man rocket launchers and speeding off towards the frontier. Calls for calm The fighting marks a dramatic escalation in a long-running dispute between the neighbours - both popular destinations for millions of foreign tourists - over their shared 800 km frontier. Dozens of kilometres in several areas are contested and fighting broke out between 2008 and 2011, leaving at least 28 people dead and tens of thousands displaced. A UN court ruling in 2013 settled the matter for over a decade, but the current crisis erupted in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a new clash. Fighting on Thursday was focused on six locations, according to the Thai army, including around two ancient temples. Ground troops backed up by tanks battled for control of territory, while Cambodia fired rockets and shells into Thailand and the Thais scrambled F-16 jets to hit military targets across the border. Both sides blamed each other for firing first, while Thailand accused Cambodia of targeting civilian infrastructure, including a hospital hit by shells and a petrol station hit by at least one rocket. Thursday's clashes came hours after Thailand expelled the Cambodian ambassador and recalled its own envoy after five members of a Thai military patrol were wounded by a landmine. Cambodia downgraded ties to 'the lowest level' on Thursday, pulling out all but one of its diplomats and expelling their Thai equivalents from Phnom Penh. At the request of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, the UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the deadly clashes, diplomatic sources told AFP. The United States urged an 'immediate' end to the conflict, while Cambodia's former colonial ruler France made a similar call. The EU and China - a close ally of Phnom Penh - said they were 'deeply concerned' about the clashes, calling for dialogue. AFP
