Arnold Schwarzenegger Detained at Munich Airport Over Undeclared Expensive Watch

Arnold Schwarzenegger was detained by customs officials at Munich Airport for not declaring a luxurious watch he brought during his trip to Austria, as reported by BILD.

The 76-year-old Hollywood star and former governor of California was held for three hours at the German airport after a routine inspection of his belongings revealed an undeclared valuable item.

Schwarzenegger initially caught the attention of customs officers, who recognized the super VIP. He was stopped and asked to open his bags. According to BILD, it was a check without any suspicion. Customs officers then discovered an elite watch in his luggage.

It is said that customs officials asked Arnold Schwarzenegger very personal questions, including how many children he has, the name of his partner, how much money he has in the bank, and details about his capital.

Schwarzenegger questioned why officials needed to know this, but officers reportedly insisted on him answering the questions. According to BILD, the actor called his lawyers.

Former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger told BILD: "This is a problem that Germany is suffering from. You can't see the forest for the trees." He explained to customs officers that the watch is being sold for charity at an auction and that it is a charitable project. However, it was in vain.

Today, Schwarzenegger was planning to sell the watch at his charity auction in Kitzbühel, Austria. The watch is a luxury Swiss brand Audemars Piguet, which the superstar brought to the "World Climate Summit." Schwarzenegger claims the watch is worth 20,000 euros.

According to the press release, Schwarzenegger is supposed to appear at the fundraising event for The Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative, which supports climate projects worldwide.

Once the watch is sold at the auction, according to sources, the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative will duly announce it, along with all non-profit organizations under Arnold's.

The watch was custom-made for Schwarzenegger by the luxurious Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet.

Currently, a criminal investigation is ongoing regarding possible tax evasion.

The alleged amount presented to him is 35,000 euros. As BILD has learned, the watch was valued at 26,000 euros. There is also a tax of 4,000 euros and a fine of 5,000 euros.

As previously reported by The Gaze, French actress Isabelle Adjani was sentenced to 2 years of probation and a fine of 250,000 euros for tax fraud.