Trial over VW diesel scandal delayed, with no end in sight

The legal proceedings in Germany relating to the Volkswagen diesel emissions fraud have stalled, more than 11 years after the scandal came to light.

One of the three defendants was absent from the scheduled start of the fourth major fraud trial at Braunschweig Regional Court for health reasons, the defence team said on Monday.

Following an adjournment, the presiding judge announced that the defendant's absence was not sufficiently justified.

The indictment was not read out, and the trial has been adjourned until Thursday.

Three former executives of the group are accused of having helped to develop the illegal device that gave false test emissions, or of failing to intervene to prevent its further development. One of the defendants is also accused of making a false statement without being under oath.

The VW scandal came to light in September 2015 when US authorities proved that diesel vehicles had been manipulated using software that recognized test conditions and recorded reduced nitrogen oxide emissions. In everyday use the emissions remained significantly higher.

The scandal cost the then VW boss Martin Winterkorn his job and cost the car manufacturer billions. Several million vehicles worldwide were affected.

In May 2025, following several years of proceedings, two of the four defendants received custodial sentences, while the other two were given suspended sentences. However, those convicted have lodged an appeal.

Winterkorn was originally also charged, but his case was separated for health reasons and has since been provisionally suspended because he is unfit to stand trial.

This current trial initially involved 11 defendants. According to the public prosecutor's office, the proceedings against eight of them were discontinued following the payment of fines. 

The trial is scheduled to run until the end of 2028.