German prosecutors launch investigation of spying charges

Series Title
Series Details 04.05.15
Publication Date 04/05/2015
Content Type

The degree of cooperation between Germany's intelligence agency BND and the Natonal Security Agency (NSA) of the United States since 2002 became a major political issue in Germany in May 2015 following revelations the previous month of the depth of the collaboration.

While Chancellor Merkel defended the BND in comments on the 4 May 2015, her coalition partner and Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel called for a thorough inquiry. Chancellor Merkel said there was an 'an innate tension' between freedom and security.

The federal prosecutors office signified that an investigation had opened.

News sources on the 5 May 2015 reported that Austria had filed legal complaints against Germany and sought clarification as to the extent of the BND's activities spying on public authorities and companies in Germany and other EU countries.

The Süddeutsche Zeitung website reported on the 7 May 2015 that the German intelligence service BND had stopped internet monitoring for the US National Security Agency (NSA) that week as the issue escalated in Germany.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/german-prosecutors-launch-investigation-spying-charges-314287
Related Links
ESO: Background information: Germany spied on France and EU commission: Report http://www.europeansources.info/record/germany-spied-on-france-and-eu-commission-report/
Deutsche Welle, 04.05.15: German interior minister to face committee over espionage claims http://dw.de/p/1FJqq
Spiegel Online International, 04.05.15: America's Willing Helper: Intelligence Scandal Puts Merkel in Tight Place http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/bnd-intelligence-scandal-puts-merkel-in-tight-place-a-1031944.html
Süddeutsche Zeitung, 04.05.15: Berlin conceals ties with intelligence agencies (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE162453-Berlin-conceals-ties-with-intelligence-agencies
BBC News, 04.05.15: Germany's Merkel pressed over BND spying for US http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-32584152
Deutsche Welle, 04.05.15: SPD, opposition ramp up pressure on Merkel over BND allegations http://dw.de/p/1FJWe
ESO: Background information: German intelligence employee arrested on suspicion of spying for US on Bundestag NSA committee http://www.europeansources.info/record/german-intelligence-employee-arrested-on-suspicion-of-spying-for-us-on-bundestag-nsa-committee/
The Local.de, 04.05.15: Merkel defends BND against criticism http://www.thelocal.de/20150504/pressure-on-merkel-rising-over-bnd-affair
Deutsche Welle, 05.05.15: Austria files legal complaint over German espionage http://dw.de/p/1FKcw
The Local.at, 04.05.15: Germany spied on Austria for NSA http://www.thelocal.at/20150504/germany-spied-on-austria-for-nsa
EurActiv, 06.05.15: France plays down German spying accusations http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/france-plays-down-german-spying-accusations-314327
EurActiv, 06.05.15: BND spying affair divides German coalition http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/BND%20spying%20affair%20divides%20German%20coalition-314349
EurActiv, 05.05.15: BND scandal: Bundestag committee issues ultimatum http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/bnd-scandal-bundestag-committee-issues-ultimatum-314301
The Guardian, 06.05.15: Angela Merkel under pressure to reveal all about US spying agreement http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/06/angela-merkel-pressure-reveal-us-spying-agreement-nsa
Deutsche Welle, 07.05.15: German intelligence agency halts internet monitoring for NSA http://dw.de/p/1FLz6
Deutsche Welle: Tag: Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND) http://www.dw.de/search/english/bundesnachrichtendienst/category/9097/
EUObserver, 05.05.15: Spy scandal puts pressure on Merkel https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/128572
EurActiv, 08.05.15: Oettinger 'sure' Russia spied on him during Gazprom talks http://www.euractiv.com/sections/energy/oettinger-sure-russia-spied-him-during-gazprom-talks-314438
EurActiv, 12.05.15: German government denies deceit in NSA scandal http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/german-government-denies-deceit-nsa-scandal-314510
openDemocracy, 10.06.15: Digital Liberties: Who can keep the German secret services in check? https://www.opendemocracy.net/digitaliberties/thorsten-wetzling/who-controls-german-secret-services
Deutsche Welle, 29.05.15: Belgium demands Germany explain BND spying http://dw.de/p/1FYoU
Deutsche Welle, 05.06.15: Data needed to foil threats, says Merkel http://dw.de/p/1FcEj

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