The Braunschweig Regional Court has provisionally suspended the criminal proceedings against former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn in connection with the diesel emissions scandal. The court announced on Tuesday that the suspension is due to Winterkorn’s ongoing and long-term illness, which has rendered him unable to participate in legal proceedings.
The court described this as a “temporary obstacle”. The panel of judges will continue to assess, with the assistance of an expert witness, whether this temporary impediment will be overcome and Winterkorn will regain his capacity to negotiate. Should he become able to participate, the proceedings will be resumed.
