Arnold Schwarzenegger Detained in Germany Over ‘Unregistered £22k Watch’

Posted by Thandiubani on Thu 18th Jan, 2024 - tori.ng

Customs officials had found the watch during a luggage search and detained Schwarzenegger for three hours for not declaring it on his arrival form.

Famous Hollywood actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger has been arrested in Germany.

He was detained at a German airport after he allegedly failed to declare a £22,000 Audemars Piguet watch.

According to Bild, customs officials had found the watch during a luggage search and detained Schwarzenegger for three hours for not declaring it on his arrival form.

A source claimed that the Hollywood actor was planning on auctioning the watch in aid of his climate crisis charity in Kitzbuhel, Austria.

Thomas Meister, spokesman for the Munich main customs office, said goods within the EU must be declared through customs for everyone, regardless of their name.

He added, “The watch should have been registered as an import,” and confirmed that criminal tax proceedings were launched against Schwarzenegger.

The 76-year-old was released after paying €35,000, including €4,000 in tax and a €5,000 penalty.

Daniel Ketchell, the actor’s spokesperson, said Schwarzenegger cooperated during the search and filled out the necessary declaration form.

He added that the charity event remains on track and lawyers are handling the situation.

“During the search, he answered every single question the customs officer asked, so to say he didn’t declare anything is 100 percent false,” he said.

“All is well now, and we look forward to a successful charity event for the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative on Thursday.

“Lawyers are dealing with it. We don’t expect any issues because Arnold always pays his taxes.”

Schwarzenegger is best known for his roles in high-profile action movies.

He served as the 38th governor of California from 2003 to 2011.

The actor was among Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world in 2004 and 2007.