Chaos Computer Club sues German government for espionage

The Chaos Computer Club, together with the International League for Human Rights, have filed a criminal prosecution request with the prosecutor. They want prosecution of the German Merkel government, which, along with the NSA and GCHQ, allegedly spy on Germans.

The CCC bases its indictment on revelations from whistleblower Edward Snowden. The activist hacker group claims that the leaked information shows that internet traffic and telephone conversations of German citizens are being tapped in violation of the law. Based on this, the CCC hopes that the federal prosecutor will start a criminal case against the Merkel administration, because the German government services were not only aware of the NSA and GCHQ practices, but also actively participated. Secret services such as the Bundesamt für Verfassungschutz Bundesnachrichtendienst and the Militärischer Abschirmdienst should also be prosecuted.

Although the German Public Prosecution Service announced last year that it would open an investigation into the espionage activities of the NSA, nothing more has been heard about this so far. The case brought forward by the CCC therefore seems partly intended to get things moving again. In addition, the hacker group wants Edward Snowden to be heard as a witness. Snowden, who is currently in Russia, should also receive guarantees that he will not be extradited to the US.