Trial for former VW CEO begins nine years after Dieselgate

Nine years after it was discovered that the German carmaker had faked emissions testing, former VW CEO Martin Winterkorn made an appearance in court on Tuesday to answer to fraud charges related to the ‘Dieselgate’ controversy.

As the worst crisis in the business’s history, Winterkorn was removed from leadership of the firm in September 2015 following the revelation that millions of VW cars had been altered to meet environmental regulations.

The criminal trial against the 77-year-old began on Tuesday, the last stage of a case that took place over more than five years.

The trial takes place at a moment when Volkswagen is trying to save billions of dollars at its own brand, raising questions about the future of its German operations.

The criminal charges against Winterkorn include fraud, market manipulation and illegal false testimony before a parliamentary committee.

If convicted, Winterkorn faces a fine or imprisonment.