German Prosecutors Close Merkel Cellphone Spying Probe

German prosecutors have closed their investigation into the alleged tapping of Chancellor Angela Merkel's cellphone by the U.S. National Security Agency, saying they have been unable to find evidence that would stand up in court.
Last June, prosecutors opened an investigation into the alleged monitoring of a cellphone Merkel used for party business. German magazine Der Spiegel had broken the story in late 2013, citing documents provided by NSA leaker Edward Snowden.
The issue has weighed on relations between Germany and the U.S.
However, chief federal prosecutor Harald Range signaled in December that the probe wasn't going well, saying that he had found no actionable evidence.
Range's office said Friday it has been unable to get hold of an original document proving the alleged spying, and that a published transcript of an NSA document allows for various interpretations.