German gov't allowed to keep arms deals secret: top court

The German government does not have to inform parliament about planned arms deals in their early stages, according to a ruling by Germany's highest court on Tuesday.

German Federal Constitutional Court said the government was under no obligation to disclose information to the Bundestag about preliminary negotiations with arms companies and that parliamentary oversight would only extend to completed deals.

But the government would have to provide the Bundestag with details on request, once specific arms exports have been approved, said the Karlsruhe-based court.

The ruling stems from a Green Party appeal for greater disclosure. Parliamentarians of the German opposition party had sued over the lack of information on arms deals from the government and deprivation of supervision duty of the parliament. Causes were reports on the sale of 200 German Leopard battle tanks to Saudi Arabia in 2011.

According to Germany's constitution, the government has the right to make decisions on arms exports. The Federal Security Council, which involves Chancellor Angela Merkel and key ministers, is the body that decides on sensitive cases in closed meetings. The current ruling coalition government publishes statistics on weapons exports every six months. Enditem