Audi chief executive Rupert Stadler has been arrested by Munich prosecutors in relation to the ongoing investigations in the Volkswagen emission scandal.
The 55-year-old German is being held due to the risk that he could prevent evidence from being found, the prosecutor's office has said.
Audi's parent, the Volkswagen Group, confirmed that Stadler was detained this morning but that the “hearing to determine whether he will be remanded is ongoing”.
Stadler was accused of fraud and false advertising by German prosecuters last week. He was named a suspect by the Munich prosecutor’s office alongside an unnamed member of Audi’s board of management.
As part of the investigation, Stadler’s home has been raided, while authorities are currently investigating 19 other suspects, the identities of whom have not been disclosed.
Audi admitted to having used illegal defeat devices to manipulate its cars’ emissions in November 2015; Stadler has been CEO since 2007. It is thought that 11 million VW Group cars have been fitted with emissions manipulation devices.
Sam Sheehan