Arnold Schwarzenegger Detained Over Luxury Watch Tax Issue
Hollywood icon Arnold Schwarzenegger found himself in an unexpected situation at Munich airport when he was detained for three hours on Wednesday for allegedly failing to declare a luxury watch he intended to auction for charity.
The incident sparked an investigation into potential tax evasion as the watch, a custom-made timepiece by luxury brand Audemars Piguet, was slated for auction within the European Union (EU). EU regulations dictate that individuals arriving with valuables exceeding €10,000 (£8,580) must declare them.
According to sources, Schwarzenegger was not initially asked to fill out a declaration form, leading to complications during the detainment. The 76-year-old actor, politician, and climate change advocate eventually paid the necessary tax, overcoming obstacles such as a malfunctioning card machine, closed banks, and ATM withdrawal limitations.
Schwarzenegger Airport Detainment Described as a "Comedy of Errors" by the spokesperson, Schwarzenegger smiles amidst detainment and holds a watch box marked "For Austria''.
The custom watch, one of only 20 in existence, was intended for auction at a fundraising dinner for the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative in Kitzbuhel, Austria, located approximately 89 km (55 miles) from Munich.
The fundraising event at the Stanglwirt hotel in Kitzbuhel promised a range of items for auction, including "artworks, signed exhibits, and experiences from the worlds of sports and film." The watch's auction listing, obtained by Bild, revealed a starting bid of €50,000 and highlighted its uniqueness, featuring an image of Arnold in his iconic pose with the words 'Arnold Classic.'
Despite the airport ordeal, Schwarzenegger's commitment to charitable causes remains evident, and the incident is likely to add an unexpected chapter to the auction, turning a bureaucratic hiccup into a memorable anecdote for the charitable event.
