Arnold Schwarzenegger Under Criminal Investigation In Munich, Germany
Arnold Schwarzenegger just landed himself in a bit of legal trouble while going through the airport in Munich, Germany.
The 76-year-old was held for possessing an “unregistered” luxury watch during customs checks at Munich Airport. He was later required to pay taxes on the watch, but payment was delayed due to various issues.
Schwarzenegger reportedly had plans to auction the watch at a climate charity auction, one of the many he has supported over the years.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Acted In Order During Detention
According to a report, Schwarzenegger was detained by customs agents at Munich Airport on Wednesday afternoon upon arriving in Germany from the US. The cause of the actor being held was his failure to declare an expensive watch in possession, a requirement under customs regulations.
The entirety of the detainment was said to have lasted for three hours, during which Schwarzenegger acted in a calm manner, perhaps not to escalate the situation. It is unclear if the actor was accompanied on the trip by anyone else.
Sources close to the situation described the former California Governor’s detainment as an “incompetent shakedown,” as they claimed he was never asked to fill out a declaration form prior to his travel to the European country.
Before his release, Schwarzenegger was instructed to prepay potential taxes on the watch, totaling $10,613, which he reportedly complied.
Criminal Proceedings Have Been Initiated Against Arnold Schwarzenegger
A new drama unfolded when Schwarzenegger attempted to make the payment. First, the credit card machine provided didn’t work despite multiple attempts by the actor to make a payment.
Subsequently, an attempt to withdraw from an ATM failed due to a low limit. Even the backup plan of withdrawing from the bank fell through as it was already closed. Eventually, the payment was successfully processed using a different functioning credit card machine at the airport.
In addition to being asked to pay taxes on the watch, it appears criminal proceedings have been initiated against the actor, as seen by a statement from the Munich Main Customs Office spokesman, Thomas Meister.
He said, per the Daily Mail, “We have initiated criminal proceedings under tax law. The watch should have been registered because it is an import.”
Another spokesman reiterated Meister’s remarks, saying, “If the goods remain in the EU, you have to declare them through customs. This applies to everyone, whether their name is Schwarzenegger or Müller, Meier, or Huber.”
It remains to be seen what this criminal proceeding would entail and if charges would be brought against the actor.
The Actor Reportedly Planned To Auction Off The Watch At A Climate Charity Auction
The watch in Schwarzenegger’s possession was reportedly made by the Swiss luxury brand Audemars Piguet. It has been alleged that the actor was with the item because he planned to auction it off at a climate charity auction in Kitzbühel, Austria.
Schwarzenegger is a passionate climate activist and is one of the faces of the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative.
According to its website, the non-governmental organization “builds awareness of the climate crisis and the urgent need for action every day. The focus lies on presenting workable solutions, supporting best in class climate action projects and serving as a matchmaker for climate leaders.”
Some of the projects they have initiated over the last decade include a reforestation project in Uganda, a photovoltaic system for a school building in India, and a protection of the Amazon region project in Brazil.
Schwarzenegger has also supported several other charity courses across the years, including AIDS and HIV, Alzheimer’s Disease, Disaster Relief, Education, Health, Homelessness, Mental Challenges, Poverty, Slavery, and Human Trafficking.
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