Overview

• The trial of four former Volkswagen managers and engineers, accused of fraud in the Dieselgate scandal, has entered its final phase with defense closing arguments underway.
• Prosecutors allege the defendants knowingly used defeat-device software to cheat emissions tests and have demanded sentences ranging from four years imprisonment to two years probation.
• Defense attorneys argue the prosecution's case is built on unverifiable claims and have called for acquittals, describing some allegations as cynical and baseless.
• The trial, which began in September 2021, has spanned over three and a half years, with 168 hearing days and testimony from approximately 150 witnesses.
• The separate trial of former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn remains suspended due to health issues, highlighting the ongoing complexity of the Dieselgate legal fallout.