US spied on Merkel and other European officials with Denmark's help: Report

Denmark’s secret service helped US National Security Service (NSA) spy on European politicians including German Chancellor Angela Merkel from 2012 to 2014. According to Danish public service brocaster DR, Defence Intelligence Service (FE) collaborated with US NSA to gar information on officials from Germany, France, Sweden and Norway. findings are result of a 2015 internal investigation in Danish Defence Intelligence Service into NSA’s role in partnership with Denmark’s foreign intelligence unit. 

According to investigation, NSA used Danish information cables to spy on senior officials in Sweden, Norway, France and Germany, including former German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and former German opposition leer Peer Steinbruck. NSA is said to have accessed text messages and phone conversation of a number of prominent individuals by tapping into Danish internet cables in co-operation with FE. As per report, alleged set-up was codenamed “Operation Dunhammer” and it allowed NSA to obtain data using telephone numbers of politicians as search parameters. 

‘Extremely serious’ and ‘unacceptable’ 

Following report, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel demanded explanations from United States and Denmark. While Macron said that spying is "not acceptable" between allies, Merkel, on or hand, said that she agreed with her French counterpart's remarks. Steinmeier, who is now German President, and a spokesperson for Merkel said that y were not aware of Danish involvement until DR report, which was shared with or European media over weekend.

"This is not acceptable between allies, even less so between European allies and partners," Macron said at a Franco-German Council of Ministers.

Steinbruck, on or hand, told German media that politically he views report as a “scandal”. Denmark's Defence Minister Trine Bramsen, who h reportedly been earlier informed of espionage, told DR that "systematic wiretapping of close allies is unacceptable”. Or European politicians have also condemned reports. Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg reportedly said that it is “unacceptable” if countries that have close allied cooperation feel need to spy on one anor. France's Europe Minister Clement Beaune said that allegations were “extremely serious”. 

Meanwhile, it is worth noting that similar allegations h emerged back in 2013. Back n, secrets leaked by US whistleblower Edward Snowden alleged tapping of German chancellor's phone by NSA. After Snowden leaked details of extensive internet and phone surveillance by US intelligence, officials charged him with ft of government property, unauthorised communication of national defence information and wilful communication of classified communications intelligence. He n found refuge in Russia.

(With inputs from AP)