Germany allows probe into former interior minister

German state prosecutors have got authorization from the Interior Ministry to practically start investigation against former Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich over Edathy affair, media reported on Tuesday.

The Interior Ministry has given prosecutors in Berlin the necessary authorization for the probe into Friedrich on suspicion of breach of official secrecy in connection with a child porn affair, a spokesman of the ministry said.

In a letter to the prosecutors, the Interior Ministry reportedly also made clear that granting the authorization does not mean any legal assessment on Friedrich's alleged behavior.

Prosecutors in Berlin opened the investigation against the ex-minister late February. However, they still need the authorization of the Interior Ministry to begin with practical steps of questioning and file sifting.

Friedrich, member of the Christian Social Union (CSU), resigned in mid-February amid accusations that he leaked confidential data about a child porn investigation involving a parliament member.

The resignation makes him the first minister of Chancellor Angela Merkel's new cabinet to leave. He served as Agriculture Minister for two months, after previously holding the post of Interior Minister for more than two years in Merkel's last government.

Merkel's new coalition government consists of her Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party CSU as well as the Social Democratic Party (SPD).

SPD Leaders confirmed earlier that Friedrich had informed them back last October of the investigation into fellow party member Sebastian Edathy, who was targeted by authorities as part of a child pornography investigation.

Friedrich's resignation has led to a rift between Merkel's coalition partners. CSU leaders expressed frustration and accused the SPD of "breach of trust." A German parliamentary committee has begun hearings related to the Edathy affair.