Arnold Schwarzenegger detained over EU tax for luxury watch

Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger was detained in Munich over alleged tax evasion related to a luxury watch, as he was on his way to an auction.

The probe for alleged tax evasion came as the actor Arnold Schwarzenegger arrived in Munich on his way to an auction.

On Wednesday, the Hollywood actor Arnold Schwarzenegger faced a three-hour detainment at Munich airport amid an investigation into alleged tax evasion related to a watch he intended to sell within the European Union (EU). EU regulations mandate that individuals carrying “cash or certain valuable items” exceeding €10,000 (£8,580) must declare them, but sources suggest Schwarzenegger was not asked to submit such a declaration.

Despite encountering obstacles, including a malfunctioning card machine and closed banks, the 76-year-old actor, also known for his political career and environmental activism, eventually paid the required tax. Schwarzenegger’s spokesperson described the airport incident as a “total comedy full of errors” that could be the plot of a humorous police film.

The custom-made watch, crafted by luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet for the Terminator star, was reportedly intended for auction at a fundraising dinner for The Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative in Kitzbuhel, Austria. The timepiece, one of only 20 in existence, was expected to fetch a starting bid of €50,000, featuring an image of Arnold Schwarzenegger in his iconic pose with the inscription “Arnold Classic.” The incident at the airport did not appear to dampen Schwarzenegger’s spirits, as he was photographed smiling and holding the watch box with a note reading “For Austria.”

The former Governor of California and action hero legend found himself in a bit of a pickle when he was detained at the airport over a tax-related matter. So, here’s the lowdown on what went down. As it turns out, Arnold was carrying a top-of-the-line luxury watch – I mean, we’re talking serious bling here. Now, according to EU regulations, travelers are supposed to declare items of value a certain threshold. It seems our man Arnold may have missed that memo.

The authorities swooped in, and before he knew it, he was caught up in a whole whirlwind of ‘tax trouble’. Now, it might seem a bit over-the-top to some, but hey, rules are rules, right? Anyway, the whole situation got us thinking – when it comes to crossing international borders, it’s important to stay on top of the nitty-gritty details. Looks like even the Terminator himself isn’t immune to the occasional tussle with the taxman. So, what’s your take on the whole ordeal? Let’s chat about it in the comments below!