Danish newspaper: "The US eavesdropped and read messages of German Chancellor Angela Merkel"

The US National Security Agency is accused of eavesdropping and reading messages of European leaders - Photo: REUTERS

The US National Security Agency (NSA) tapped Danish internet cables to spy on top politicians and senior officials in Germany, Sweden, Norway and France, Danish public radio (DR) reported.

The NSA used its surveillance partnership with Denmark's FE military intelligence unit to do this.

The Danish Ministry of Defense has not yet responded to requests for comment on this shocking accusation from European media.

According to DR, Danish Defense Minister Trine Bramsen was informed about the spying activity in August 2020. She affirmed that "systematic eavesdropping on close allies is unacceptable."

Based on initial reports from European media, it is unclear whether Denmark will allow the US to use its surveillance system to monitor neighboring countries.

DR said it had coordinated with Swedish broadcaster SVT, Norwegian broadcaster NRK, three German media outlets NDR, WDR and the Suddeutsche newspaper, and French newspaper Le Monde to investigate.

According to DR, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, then-Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and then-opposition leader Peer Steinbruck were among the high-ranking figures the NSA monitored.

The NSA can access text messages, phone calls, internet access including search terms, chat content and messaging services.

Information about this espionage operation was detailed in a secret report by the Danish military intelligence unit FE under the file "Operation Dunhammer" and reported to the FE leadership in May 2015.

DR claims their information comes from nine different sources who have access to FE's confidential information and that the content has been independently confirmed by several sources.

Neither FE nor its director at the time, Lars Findsen, commented on the information revealed by DR.

According to Tuoi Tre