EuroNews / Reuters – German authorities have detained the chief executive of Volkswagen’s luxury division Audi, Rupert Stadler, as part of a probe into manipulation of emissions controls.
Stadler is the most senior Volkswagen to be arrested over the so-called Dieselgate that came to light in 2015.
Audi and Volkswagen confirmed that Stadler was detained on Monday and said he still had a presumption of innocence.
Munich prosecutors searched Stadler’s private residence as part of their investigation of suspected fraud and indirect improprieties with documents.
News of the arrest comes as VW’s new group CEO Herbert Diess is trying to introduce a new leadership structure, which includes Stadler, and speed up the group’s shift toward electric vehicles in the wake of its emissions scandal.
