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German prosecutor sacked over Netzpolitik treason probe German prosecutor sacked over Netzpolitik treason probe
(35 minutes later)
Germany's justice minister has sacked the country's top prosecutor, who had accused the government of interfering with a treason investigation.Germany's justice minister has sacked the country's top prosecutor, who had accused the government of interfering with a treason investigation.
Heiko Maas said he no longer had confidence in Harald Range, dismissing his statements as "incomprehensible".Heiko Maas said he no longer had confidence in Harald Range, dismissing his statements as "incomprehensible".
Prosecutors are investigating whether the Netzpolitik website revealed state secrets in articles about plans to step up state surveillance.Prosecutors are investigating whether the Netzpolitik website revealed state secrets in articles about plans to step up state surveillance.
News of the case sparked street protests last week over press freedom.News of the case sparked street protests last week over press freedom.
The outcry put the government on the back foot, with senior officials stressing that Germany was committed to press freedom and casting doubts over whether the articles constituted treason.The outcry put the government on the back foot, with senior officials stressing that Germany was committed to press freedom and casting doubts over whether the articles constituted treason.
'Intolerable''Intolerable'
Earlier on Tuesday, in a rare public row between the German judiciary and the state, Mr Range said the government had asked him to drop an independent investigator from the inquiry, who concluded that one of the articles published did amount to a disclosure of a state secret.Earlier on Tuesday, in a rare public row between the German judiciary and the state, Mr Range said the government had asked him to drop an independent investigator from the inquiry, who concluded that one of the articles published did amount to a disclosure of a state secret.
The request, said Mr Range, amounted to "an intolerable encroachment on the independence of the judiciary".The request, said Mr Range, amounted to "an intolerable encroachment on the independence of the judiciary".
He said that while the freedom of press was valuable it was not "limitless".He said that while the freedom of press was valuable it was not "limitless".
Analysis: Damien McGuinness, BBC News, BerlinAnalysis: Damien McGuinness, BBC News, Berlin
This clash between the government and the judiciary is all about freedom of speech. This political row isn't a story of corruption or sleaze for many Germans. Instead, it is about freedom of speech and whether journalists who exercise that right can be charged with treason and face years in prison.
The case has provoked national outrage in Germany and street protests, with demonstrators accusing the authorities of wanting to muzzle the press. The investigation sparked national outrage and newspaper headlines screamed that press freedom was in danger. Meanwhile, Netzpolitik received donations of more than €50,000 (£35,000) — nothing like a brush with the law to boost a publication's profile and bank account, Twitter users joked.
Germany's government leaders, including numerous ministers and Chancellor Angela Merkel, have been quick to follow the public mood, all expressing support for the journalists. Free speech and data protection are hot topics in Germany, partly because of the country's painful experience of totalitarianism during the 20th Century.
Free speech is a sensitive issue in Germany because of the country's painful experience in the 20th century with both Nazism and communism. So any debate about surveillance and muzzling of the press in Germany is much more than simply an academic discussion of abstract civil liberties. People here are all too aware of the dangers of an overly powerful state.
So people here are all too aware of the dangers of an overly powerful state, and are quick to protest if they feel their civil liberties are under threat.
But the justice minister responded at a news conference in which he called Mr Range's comments "incomprehensible and misleading".But the justice minister responded at a news conference in which he called Mr Range's comments "incomprehensible and misleading".
He said his trust in the prosecutor's ability had "suffered lasting damage" and he had requested his dismissal.He said his trust in the prosecutor's ability had "suffered lasting damage" and he had requested his dismissal.
Mr Range is 67 and was due to retire next year. Munich's chief public prosecutor, Peter Frank, has been named by Mr Maas as his successor.Mr Range is 67 and was due to retire next year. Munich's chief public prosecutor, Peter Frank, has been named by Mr Maas as his successor.
The state investigation, into two journalists at Netzpolitik.org, is currently paused. The pair have called for the case to be dropped.The state investigation, into two journalists at Netzpolitik.org, is currently paused. The pair have called for the case to be dropped.
Their first story, in February, alleged that Germany's domestic intelligence agency wanted additional funds to increase its online surveillance programme.Their first story, in February, alleged that Germany's domestic intelligence agency wanted additional funds to increase its online surveillance programme.
A later article in April concerned the spy agency's efforts to set up a special unit to monitor social networking websites.A later article in April concerned the spy agency's efforts to set up a special unit to monitor social networking websites.
Critics have accused Mr Range of double standards, with the prosecutor earlier this year dropping an investigation into alleged tapping of Chancellor Merkel's phone by the the US National Security Agency over lack of evidence.Critics have accused Mr Range of double standards, with the prosecutor earlier this year dropping an investigation into alleged tapping of Chancellor Merkel's phone by the the US National Security Agency over lack of evidence.
The claims shocked the public and strained German-American ties.The claims shocked the public and strained German-American ties.
Media reaction in GermanyMedia reaction in Germany
The media outcry over the treason investigation started almost immediately. Süddeutsche Zeitung points out that treason is a very loaded word. The law behind it has in the past been used to go after political opponents.The media outcry over the treason investigation started almost immediately. Süddeutsche Zeitung points out that treason is a very loaded word. The law behind it has in the past been used to go after political opponents.
Die Welt says this case highlights unprofessionalism on all sides - calling it "silly season theatre". It says freedom of press, which many say was threatened, has been saved by an alliance of politics, media and society.Die Welt says this case highlights unprofessionalism on all sides - calling it "silly season theatre". It says freedom of press, which many say was threatened, has been saved by an alliance of politics, media and society.
But questions about the independence of justice - not a minor issue in a constitutional democracy - remain unanswered. Der Spiegel calls Tuesday's developments a rebellion by the prosecutor, which could only end in his sacking.But questions about the independence of justice - not a minor issue in a constitutional democracy - remain unanswered. Der Spiegel calls Tuesday's developments a rebellion by the prosecutor, which could only end in his sacking.
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung says like any scandal, somebody had to be blamed. The ministers for interior and justice were safe but a fight between Mr Range and the head of the intelligence service culminated in his attack on the justice minister - a move that might seem deliberately designed to provoke his sacking.Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung says like any scandal, somebody had to be blamed. The ministers for interior and justice were safe but a fight between Mr Range and the head of the intelligence service culminated in his attack on the justice minister - a move that might seem deliberately designed to provoke his sacking.