German far-right party wins injunction over extremism probe

BERLIN — A German court rules that Germany’s domestic intelligence agency shouldn’t have publicly announced that it is investigating the country’s biggest far-right party.

An administrative court in Cologne on Tuesday grants an injunction sought by Alternative for Germany against the BfV intelligence agency.

The agency announced last month that it was increasing its scrutiny of the party, known by its German acronym AfD, amid concerns that it is flirting with extremism.

The Cologne court rules that publicly describing the party as a “case to be investigated” was disproportionate and breached its constitutional rights. The court does not rule on the probe itself.

AfD welcomes the injunction, which can be appealed.

— AP