Germany to Investigate US Over NSA Tapping of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Phone, Wants to Interview Edward Snowden
After months of tense relations between the U.S. and Germany, German police will begin investigating allegations that the U.S. tapped the German chancellor's cellphone and recorded her conversations.
News of this alleged breach by the U.S. came to light in October as part of information released by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden. According to Al-Jazeera America, Snowden's information revealed that the National Security Agency had been listening to the chancellor's phone as well as the phones of 35 other heads of state.
Chief Federal Prosecutor Harald Range determined to pursue a criminal investigation following months of consideration because "sufficient factual evidence exists that unknown members of U.S. intelligence services spied on the mobile phone of Chancellor Angela Merkel."
The U.S. has asked Germany to begin a conversation and avoid the investigation. Following the news about the NSA's intrusion, President Obama recognized Germany's anger and promised that the agency would stop most of its snooping, except in cases of national security.
"We believe we have an open line and good communication," Ben Rhodes, the administration's deputy national security adviser, told reporters aboard Air Force One as Obama flew to Brussels for the G7 meeting.
Although Germany has not announced it will hold the investigation, Range did say that they would not pursue the wider allegations that the U.S. has been dipping into German citizens' communication, according to Al-Jazeera America. He said there is not enough evidence.
Still, German legislators want the investigation to continue, and Snowden interviewed. According to Reuters, the opposition coalition has been asking for Snowden to go to Germany to be interviewed by a parliamentary committee, but Germany wants to avoid more tension with the U.S. As a result, the decision has been made to meet with Snowden in Moscow instead. The committee wants to interview Snowden by July 2, but he has yet to agree to meeting with them.
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