Former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn denied responsibility for the diesel scandal in court, claiming ignorance of the illegal emissions software.

Evidence presented suggests Winterkorn was informed about the emission problems early on.

Winterkorn's defense mirrors that of other VW executives, attributing the issue to lower-level staff, despite an Audi executive's conviction and Winterkorn's own pending criminal charges.

The court highlighted Winterkorn's significant role as CEO during the scandal's exposure and is set to continue his interrogation.

Winterkorn maintains a confident courtroom presence, even as he faces additional criminal proceedings for fraud and market manipulation.

The lawsuit's outcome could significantly impact the financial status of Volkswagen and Porsche, with shareholders seeking damages for stock losses since 2018.

This is the third former CEO to be questioned in the ongoing legal proceedings, and Winterkorn resigned in 2015 when the scandal emerged.