Former Wirecard boss Braun complains about six years of investigative detention

Former Wirecard CEO Markus Braun has criticized the length of his six-year investigation detention, stating that it is "in no way justified." In an interview with the "Spiegel," Braun said that for non-violent crimes, the maximum limit for preventive detention should be around one year. He also believes that the duration of the proceedings should be limited, suggesting 50 days as an example.

The Wirecard trial has already exceeded this number of proceedings. However, numerous defense requests have contributed to the lengthy proceedings.

Braun's defense argues that if there were no evidence, they would not file new evidence requests. They aim for an acquittal, but Braun acknowledges that expecting this is "entirely unreasonable." He maintains that from the start, it was clear that the court had no intention of acquitting him and that the process was not planned from the beginning.

Braun has been held in investigation detention since summer 2020, just before the once-Dax company Wirecard collapsed due to untraceable €1.7 billion in balance sheet claims. The prosecution estimated the damage from the fraud at €3 billion. Braun denies all accusations, and the trial has been ongoing for about four years but is nearing its conclusion.