FRANKFURT AM MAIN, July 29, 2004 – At its meeting today, the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Bank discussed the judgement handed down by the Düsseldorf District Court in the Mannesmann trial. With the acquittal of all of the defendants, the Supervisory Board feels vindicated in its view that the criminal charges brought against Dr. Ackermann were unfounded.
The Supervisory Board is also convinced that Dr. Ackermann behaved correctly while discharging his duties as a member of the Supervisory Board of the former Mannesmann AG.
The issues of stock corporation law raised in the judgement have already been assessed very differently within the legal profession, a point conceded by the judge in her verdict. General clarification of these issues is urgently needed for reasons of certainty as to the law.
The Supervisory Board conveys to Dr. Ackermann its respect for the way in which he fulfilled his professional obligations in spite of the heavy personal burdens resulting from the trial.
