Hollywood icon Arnold Schwarzenegger found himself at the
center of an unexpected airport saga when he was detained for three hours at
Munich airport. The reason? Allegedly failing to declare a luxury watch
destined for a charity auction within the European Union (EU).
According to EU regulations, individuals entering the region
with "cash or certain valuable items" exceeding €10,000 (£8,580) must
declare them. However, reports suggest that Schwarzenegger was not asked to
fill out the required declaration form, sparking an investigation into
potential tax evasion.
The 76-year-old actor, politician, and environmental
advocate encountered a series of obstacles when attempting to settle the tax
bill. An initial card machine malfunctioned, and the nearest bank was closed,
with ATM withdrawal limits proving insufficient. Customs officials had to bring
in a new card machine, delaying the process.
Despite the bureaucratic hurdles, Schwarzenegger's spokesman
described the incident as "a total comedy full of errors," suggesting
it could make for an amusing police film. A photo published by German tabloid
Bild showed the Terminator star smiling while holding a box for the custom-made
watch, bearing a note reading "For Austria."
The luxury timepiece, crafted by renowned watchmaker
Audemars Piguet, was set to be auctioned at a fundraising dinner for The
Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative in Kitzbuhel, Austria. Reports indicated that
the watch, one of only 20 in existence, featured an image of Schwarzenegger in
his iconic pose with the words 'Arnold Classic.' The starting bid for this
exclusive item was listed at €50,000.
The incident, though initially a bureaucratic hiccup,
highlighted the philanthropic efforts of Schwarzenegger, who remained composed
throughout the ordeal. As the watch made its way to auction, the episode added
a touch of unexpected humor to what would undoubtedly be an unforgettable
experience for the actor and those involved.
