A German magazine is shocked to learn that the country’s foreign intelligence agency, the BND was spying on one of its journalists. Emails between a reporter from Der Spiegel and an Afghan MP were monitored for six months and only came to light thanks to

“We were appalled to find this out and believe the BND’s action violates the freedom of the press guaranteed in German law. So we've demanded an explanation on what happened and how a repeat can be prevented in the future,” said Spiegel’s Hans Ulrich Stoldt.

The BND are said to have intercepted the emails by planting specialist computer software, giving them access to a wealth of confidential information.

It’s still unclear why they particularly chose to spy on the magazines contacts in Afghanistan. The only reason it’s known at all is thanks to the work of a whistle-blower.

Germany’s foreign intelligence agency, the BND, refused to comment to RT on the issue but have previously denied they violated any basic rights, including, most significantly, the freedom of the press.

It’s this issue, though, which lies at the heart of the debate. The secrecy of telecommunications is protected in German Constitutional law, so any surveillance is illegal.

The BND has apologised to Der Spiegel for what happened and now the magazine is deciding whether that is the end of the matter or if they will take it to court.