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German Prosecutor Fired over Treason Investigation

posted by takyon on Tuesday August 04 2015, @08:35PM   
from the independent-judiciary dept.

An Anonymous Coward writes:

Earlier this week we read about the German Public Prosecutor opening up a treason investigation.

Within hours, the investigation was halted. And now the public prosecutor lost his job over it.

Looks like this Slashdot commenter foresaw accurately what would happen, based on a very similar past incident:

Also at the BBC and Deutsche Welle.

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Original Submission

• The details aren't quite as breathlessThe details aren't quite as breathless (Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 04 2015, @08:46PM

  by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 04 2015, @08:46PM (#218105)

  Just your regular BS gamesmanship. From one of the article links:

  Media 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.
  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.
  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.

  Add to this the fact that the newspaper who is crying wolf is reaping the benefits of increased public donations as a result of the publicity.

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• Re:The details aren't quite as breathless(Score: 0, Disagree) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 04 2015, @08:48PM

  by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 04 2015, @08:48PM (#218110)

  "Hmmm. The coffers are running a little low. Quick! Stop the presses, I've got your lead story!":

  "HELP! HELP! I'M BEING OPPRESSED!"

  Parent

• Re:The details aren't quite as breathlessRe:The details aren't quite as breathless (Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 04 2015, @09:01PM

  by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 04 2015, @09:01PM (#218129)

  > Add to this the fact that the newspaper who is crying wolf is reaping the benefits of increased public donations as a result of the publicity.

  Crying wolf? The prosecutor has been fired. This wasn't just a bullshit made up problem. And taking Die Welt's word on it is self-serving, they are ideologically aligned with the pro-state's secret crowd.

  Parent

  • Re:The details aren't quite as breathlessRe:The details aren't quite as breathless (Score: 0, Disagree) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 05 2015, @02:15AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 05 2015, @02:15AM (#218291)

    Maybe not a "bullshit made up problem", but a "let's cash in by milking this for all its worth provided we can build this molehill into a mountain" kind of problem.

    Parent

    • Re:The details aren't quite as breathless(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 05 2015, @06:05AM

      by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 05 2015, @06:05AM (#218357)

      Again, the guy was fired for doing it. You don't get fired for molehills.

      Parent