Federal prosecutor’s office says leaked documents on which website’s reports were based were not a state secret

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

German prosecutors have dropped a much-criticised treason investigation into two journalists who reported on secret plans to expand online surveillance in the country.

Prosecutors notified Netzpolitik.org in July that its founder, Markus Beckedahl, and fellow journalist Andre Meister were under investigation, triggering widespread criticism from free-speech advocates. The website specialises in coverage of online privacy and digital culture.

The justice minister, Heiko Maas, questioned the decision to open a treason inquiry, and last week he fired the chief federal prosecutor, Harald Range, after the two clashed over public allegations by Range of political interference, which the minister denied.

Germany halts treason inquiry into journalists after protests Read more

On Monday the federal prosecutor’s office said it was closing the case because it believed the leaked documents on which the website’s reports were based were not a “state secret”, and that other conditions for treason charges had not been met.

The inquiry, which was opened after a criminal complaint filed by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, also targeted the unidentified source of the leaked documents. Monday’s statement said investigating the source would now be a matter for lower-ranking local prosecutors.

Beckedahl suggested the decision to drop the inquiry was not enough. “We want to know precisely whether we were subject to surveillance measures during the almost three-month investigation,” he said. Beckedahl said he hoped the case would motivate authorities to improve protection for whistleblowers in Germany.

German officials have reiterated their commitment to press freedom amid embarrassment over the inquiry.