Prosecutor takes step to prosecute German President Wulff

Feb 16, 2012, 21:39 GMT

Hanover, Germany - The public prosecutor in Hanover applied Thursday for German President Christian Wulff's immunity to be lifted, the first step towards opening a formal investigation of possible corruption charges.

If parliament in Berlin decides to allow the inquiry to proceed, Wulff would be the first German president in history to face a formal criminal investigation.

Wulff, a conservative, has rejected calls to resign since mid-December, when allegations were raised over his relationships with wealthy friends while he was premier of Lower Saxony state.

The prosecutors said there was a 'preliminary suspicion' that Wulff may have 'accepted a benefit,' which is an offence for a public official, punishable by up to three years' prison. David Groenewold, a manager of film investment deals, was named as the suspected giver.

Last week, Wulff denied through his lawyer that he and his fiancee obtained a free holiday with Groenewold at a German beach resort. Wulff insisted he had paid, in cash, for the three-night stay in 2007.

'Naturally, the presumption of innocence prevails, despite the preliminary suspicion,' the prosecutors added in Hanover, the Lower Saxon capital. They declined to discuss the evidence, but referred to recent reports by investigative journalists.

The media had reported Groenewald paid the whole party's bill with his credit card in Westerland on the island of Sylt.

A year earlier, premier Wulff's state government had approved a 4-million-euro (5.3-million-dollar) credit guarantee for one of Groenewold's projects. The guarantee expired without being used.

Wulff's personal lawyer, Gernot Lehr, declined comment on the announcement.

Wulff had earlier apologized for failing to disclose a home loan from the wife of a friend, and has dissociated himself from his former spokesman, Olaf Glaeseker, who faces a separate corruption investigation. Wulff was Lower Saxon state premier 2003-10.

Political opponents urged Wulff to go. The Green Party said he should at least take leave of office during the investigation.

The Social Democratic Party's general secretary, Andrea Nahles, said, 'A criminal investigation is incompatible with the office of president.'

Merkel's Christian Democrats declined comment.

Off the record, politicians in Merkel's party voiced shock and said they expected Wulff to explain himself in public Friday.

Both sides are expected to accede to the prosecutors' request, but one Merkel supporter said those who had voted for Wulff a year and a half ago would feel ashamed as they were removing his immunity.

The next sitting of parliament is due on February 27.

Wulff has so far toughed out the allegations raised against him and his second wife Bettina in the media. He gave an apologetic television interview in early January, but has otherwise stuck to his working routine. Earlier this week Wulff paid a state visit to Italy.