Former Audi chief on trial in Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal

Rupert Stadler is accused of fraud (Peter Kneffel/dpa via AP)

The former head of Volkswagen’s Audi luxury car division and three others have gone on trial on charges related to the company’s cheating on diesel car emissions tests.

The proceedings represent the first criminal trial in Germany over the scandal that erupted five years ago and has cost the Volkswagen Group more than 32 billion euro (£27 billion) in fines and settlements.