
Former Volkswagen Group CEO Martin Winterkorn appeared in court on Tuesday to face charges of fraud and market manipulation in connection with the emissions scandal that rocked the auto industry. Prosecutors allege that Winterkorn was aware of the illegal software used in Volkswagen cars to cheat on emissions tests well before it was publicly revealed in 2015.
Winterkorn has denied the allegations, claiming that he only learned about the practice shortly before it was exposed. His attorney emphasized that Winterkorn's position as CEO should not automatically make him responsible for the scandal.