Germany drops Merkel NSA cellphone tap probe
German prosecutors on Friday announced that they were abandoning a probe into allegations that the National Security Agency tapped the cellphone of German Chancellor Angela Merkel because there is not enough evidence.
The decision to drop an investigation in a case that has strained relations between the allies was announced by Germany's chief prosecutor, Harold Range.
He said in a statement that reports published in 2013 in the media alleging the spying did not constitute proof the tapping took place, and that his office was not able to find sufficient evidence that would stand up in court.
"If the allegations are true, it would be for me a clear contradiction as to what I consider to be trusting cooperation between agencies and partners," Merkel said last year while on a trip to China.