A dozen former Volkswagen employees in Brazil have filed a civil lawsuit against the automobile company.

The litigants claim the German auto manufacturer let their workers be detained as well as tortured in their Sao Bernardo do Campo factory when Brazil was under an authoritarian military rule, according to the BBC.

Back in December of 2014, Brazil's national truth commission reported that during the nation’s military dictatorship (1964-1985), illegal arrests, torture, executions and forced disappearances were routinely executed by state agents. The final report offered by the commission called for the armed forces to recognize their responsibility for the violations that occurred in those years.

On Wednesday, VW announced it was investigating accusations that the company collaborated with Brazil's former military dictatorship. As reported in the AFP, the company issued a statement that said, "The company is contacting the parties involved to learn their versions about acts committed by former employees during the military dictatorship. Detailed investigations are being conducted."

Attorneys behind the suit say that instead of dealing with case-by-case settlements they are asking for "collective reparations" for VW's actions during the military regime.

Between 1964 and 1985, over 400 Brazilians were killed or disappeared. The most famous Brazilian to have survived being arrested and tortured is current President Dilma Rousseff.

This has not been a good week for VW as, aside for this class action lawsuit, the company’s Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn resigned in the wake of news that his company deceived U.S. regulators about the level of pollution their diesel cars produce. As reported in Reuters, Winterkorn said that Volkswagen needed a fresh start, which included new personnel.

“I am clearing the way for this fresh start with my resignation," he said.