BERLIN — German federal prosecutors on Monday drop a much-criticized treason investigation of two journalists who had reported on secret plans to expand online surveillance in Germany.
Prosecutors notified website Netzpolitik.org in July that its founder, Markus Beckedahl, and fellow journalist Andre Meister were under investigation — prompting widespread criticism from free-speech advocates. The website specializes in covering online privacy and digital culture.
Justice Minister Heiko Maas questioned the decision to open a treason probe, which is a rare move in Germany. Last week, he fired chief federal prosecutor Harald Range after the two clashed over public allegations by Range of political interference, which the minister denied.
The federal prosecutor’s office says Monday it is closing the case because it believes the leaked documents the website’s reports are based on were not a “state secret” and other conditions for treason charges also aren’t fulfilled.
— AP
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