Rupert Stadler, the chief executive officer of Audi, has reportedly been taken into custody in the latest development in the Volkswagen Group’s diesel emissions cheating scandal.

According to Bloomberg, German authorities have arrested the 55-year-old in Munich in connection with the scandal that first hit headlines in September 2015.

Prosecutors confirmed to the publication that they had detained Stadler because of a risk that he may suppress evidence, later saying in an official statement that "the suspect has been seen by a judge, who has ordered him to be remanded in custody".

Stadler has been Audi CEO since January 2010.

Recently, German prosecutors issued an administrative order against the Volkswagen Group providing for a fine of €1-billion.