German prosecutor sacked over Netzpolitik treason probe

Media sources reported in August 205 that Germany's justice minister Heiko Maas had sacked the country's top prosecutor Harald Range, following accusations that the government had interfered with an ongoing treason investigation.

Mr Range's remarks appeared as prosecutors were investigating whether the Netzpolitik website revealed state secrets in articles about plans to step up state surveillance. News of the case sparked street protests over press freedom.

• Primary Source

EUObserver, 05.08.15: German justice minister fires prosecutor over treason investigation https://euobserver.com/news/129833

The Wall Street Journal, 04.08.15: German Justice Minister Fires Top Prosecutor for Treason Probe of Bloggers http://www.wsj.com/articles/german-prosecutor-says-justice-ministry-hindering-treason-investigation-of-journalists-1438690717

The Guardian, 04.08.15: German justice minister to request prosecutor's dismissal over treason case http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/04/german-justice-minister-to-request-prosecutors-dismissal-treason-case-journalists-spy-agency-surveillance

Politico, 05.08.15: Treason probe costs German prosecutor job http://www.politico.eu/article/german-prosecutor-loses-job-over-treason-probe/

Deutsche Welle, 04.08.15: Outrage as Range turns Netzpolitik treason storm into constitutional row http://dw.com/p/1G9a8

Euronews, 04.08.15: German state and judiciary square up over treason probe http://www.euronews.com/2015/08/04/german-state-and-judiciary-square-up-over-treason-probe/

Deutsche Welle, 04.08.15: Government meddling in German treason case? http://dw.com/p/1G9ws

Deutsche Welle [Opinion], 04.08.15: Range's revenge http://dw.com/p/1GA07

The Guardian, 31.07.15: Germany halts treason inquiry into journalists after protests http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/31/germany-halts-treason-inquiry-journalists-surveillance-protests

Deutsche Welle, 03.08.15: Germany's Merkel backs justice minister over Netzpolitik treason probe http://dw.com/p/1G8wm

BBC News, 03.08.15: Germany pauses treason probe into spy leaks website http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-33759437

Euronews, 31.07.15: Germany suspends treason investigation into news website http://www.euronews.com/2015/07/31/germany-suspends-treason-investigation-into-news-website/

Politico, 31.07.15: German website under investigation for treason http://www.politico.eu/article/german-website-under-investigation-for-treason-landesverrat-netzpolitik-secret-government-documents-internet-surveillance/

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