Die Hard "Innocents": Defendants in VW Emissions Scandal Maintain They're the Victims
Convicted Individuals in Volkswagen Emissions Scandal View Themselves as Victims
The approaching verdict in the Volkswagen emissions-cheating trial is looming large, with three of the four defendants facing possible imprisonment. Before the final decision, these ex-managers and engineers have something to say - they see themselves as victims, not perpetrators.
With a hint of emotion, they've shared their experiences of the seemingly endless trial at the Braunschweig Regional Court, calling it exhausting and draining. The prosecution, on the other hand, accuses the four defendants of fraud and demands prison sentences of three to four years for three of them. The defense, however, pleads for acquittals for three and a warning for one. The verdict might drop as early as next Monday.
As the investigation reaches its climax, these men say the requested sentences, ten years after the scandal first surfaced, leaves them bewildered. They also label the pleas for the other defendants as irritating and shocking. Thought the trial, it's been apparent that it's one person's word against another.
Trial Away From the Spotlight: Ex-CEO Winterkorn
Engineers insisting they proposed the controversial defeat device claim they raised concerns and warned of consequences. Their superiors counter that issues were raised, but never illegal activities. In September 2015, it came to light that the car manufacturer had willfully tampered with emissions values to dodge legally mandated limits. VW thus unveiled a widespread deception program that recognized emission tests and only then activated full emission cleaning.
The case against the four defendants in Braunschweig has been under scrutiny due to the absence of a key figure - former CEO Martin Winterkorn, whose case is separate for health reasons.
Defendants Taking a Stand
The defendants mainly defend themselves against accusations, viewing themselves more as scapegoats. They express criticism over the prosecution for focusing on them alone, ignoring high-level executives such as Winterkorn.
Sources: ntv.de, lar/dpa
Terms to Know:
- Dieselgate: Ongoing emissions scandal involving Volkswagen.
- Braunschweig: City where Regional Court convenes for the trial.
- Justice: Judicial system overseeing the case.
- Trials: Legal proceedings related to the scandal.
- Volkswagen: Car manufacturing company at the heart of the scandal.
- Automotive Industry: The industry from which Volkswagen hails.
- Affairs and Scandals: The controversial events impacting Volkswagen.
Insights:
- Scapegoating: The defendants argue that they are being made scapegoats, with notion that more senior figures are being overlooked.
- Lack of Substantial Evidence: The defense claims that there is a lack of substantial evidence against them, labeling some accusations as nonsensical.
- Contradictory Allegations: The trial is shaped by contradictory allegations, with engineers asserting they expressed concerns and warned of consequences, while their superiors deny any illegal activities were discussed.
- Prosecution Focus: Criticism that the prosecution focuses solely on the four defendants, disregarding higher-ups like the ex-CEO Martin Winterkorn.
- The defendants in the Volkswagen emissions-cheating trial, facing potential imprisonment, assert they are victims rather than perpetrators, questioning the requested prison sentences ten years after the scandal's initial surfacing.
- In the ongoing emissions scandal known as Dieselgate, the prosecution accuses the defendants of fraud, while the defense pleads for acquittals and a warning, expressing criticism towards the prosecution for focusing on their clients alone without considering high-level executives like Martin Winterkorn.
- The automotive industry, including Volkswagen, has been impacted by profound affairs and scandals, such as the emissions scandal, with engineers claiming they raised concerns about a controversial defeat device, while their superiors deny any illegal activities were discussed.
