The former VW manager and current president of the German Boxing Association (DBV), Prof. Dr. Jens Hadler, has been sentenced to several years in prison in the so-called “diesel scandal”.
A heavy blow for German amateur boxing: Prof. Dr. Jens Hadler, acting President of the German Boxing Association(DBV) since March 2023, was sentenced to four years and six months in prison by the Braunschweig Regional Court today. This was reported by several media outlets.
Four VW executives sentenced
The 6th Criminal Chamber imposed the sentence on Hadler, formerly Head of Engine Development at Volkswagen, for his involvement in the “diesel scandal”. This had already been uncovered in 2015. A total of four former VW Group executives have been sentenced.
The public prosecutor’s office had accused the managers of fraud in connection with the manipulation of emission control systems in various VW diesel vehicles. VW admitted to the manipulations in September 2015. Software was used in the affected cars that ensured that emissions standards were met in test mode that were exceeded during regular use.
DBV functionary since 2019
Prof. Dr. Jens Hadler, who received the highest prison sentence of the four defendants from the Braunschweig Regional Court, had been involved in German boxing for many years, according to the DBV website. Hadler had been an honorary member of the association’s board since 2019. Since the 2021 board elections, he has held the position of Vice President for Communication and Future Issues. In March 2023, the former VW manager officially succeeded Erich Dreke as the new DBV President.
Text by Frank Schwantes