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Hof Court Opens Trial Over Alleged Diesel Tax Fraud

Prosecutors allege a regional dealer bought 90.5 million liters of untaxed fuel, costing €44 million in energy tax.

Overview

  • The Landgericht Hof has set roughly 59 additional hearing days through 22 October for the sprawling case.
  • Analyses cited in court filings led to 27 fraud counts after shipments were found to be heavy oil or gas oil rather than diesel.
  • Prosecutors describe altered warning plates on tankers and sales of non‑standard fuel at company stations and to large customers, with reported vehicle damage sometimes reimbursed.
  • Investigators say the network is larger than the eight defendants and refer to unknown suspects believed to be at large.
  • The EU Public Prosecutor’s Office is pursuing the related 'Water into Wine' probe and searched the company in August 2025, after which the dealer’s son was placed in pretrial custody.