Austria is asking for a legal investigation of allegations that the German intelligence service helped the U.S. National Security Agency eavesdrop on the country's political leaders.
Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner said Tuesday her ministry has filed a criminal complaint against unnamed persons or entities on suspicion of ``secret intelligence activities to the detriment of Austria.'' She said "we need and want total clarification.''
The complaint opens the way for prosecutors to start an investigation.
German officials have pledged to cooperate with their country's lawmakers, who are probing claims that the intelligence agency helped NSA listen in on communications of European officials and companies.
The German government reacted with anger two years ago when reports based on leaked U.S. intelligence documents suggested the NSA had eavesdropped on Chancellor Angela Merkel.
