Arnold Schwarzenegger Detained at Munich Airport for Not Declaring Luxury Watch
January 18, 2024
Munich, Germany
Former California Governor and Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger made headlines on Wednesday when he was detained by customs officers at the Munich airport for failing to declare a luxury watch he was wearing while traveling to Austria.
The 76-year-old actor was held for three hours at the airport in Germany before being released, a source familiar with the incident told CBS News. Schwarzenegger was planning to auction the watch at his charity auction in Kitzbuhel, Austria, on Thursday.
According to a news release, Schwarzenegger is scheduled to appear at an event to raise funds for The Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative, which supports climate projects around the globe.
Schwarzenegger’s Detention
The source said that Schwarzenegger was never asked to fill out a declaration form and that he tried to pay the taxes for the watch at the airport, but the credit card machine was not working. Schwarzenegger was then taken to an ATM to withdraw money, but the limit was too low. The bank was closed, so customs officers finally brought in a credit card machine that worked.
The source said that once the watch is auctioned, the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative will properly report it, as all of Arnold’s non-profits do.
Schwarzenegger was expected to be allowed to continue his journey, but “the watch will probably have to stay,” customs spokesman Thomas Meister told Agence France-Presse.
The Watch
The watch was custom-made for Schwarzenegger by luxury Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet, Bild reported. The watch is reportedly worth around $50,000.
Criminal Investigation
A criminal procedure investigation for possible tax evasion is currently ongoing, the customs spokesperson told CBS News.
Schwarzenegger’s Response
Schwarzenegger has not yet commented on the incident.
Background
Schwarzenegger is a well-known actor, politician, and businessman. He served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 to 2011. He is also the founder of the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative, a non-profit organization that supports climate projects around the globe.
Analysis
Schwarzenegger’s detention at the Munich airport is a reminder that even celebrities are not above the law. It is also a reminder of the importance of declaring all items of value when traveling internationally.
Conclusion
Schwarzenegger’s detention is a high-profile case that has brought attention to the issue of tax evasion. It is likely that this case will be closely watched by tax authorities around the world.
Call to Action:
Have you ever had an experience with customs officials while traveling? Share your story in the comments below!