German court rules far-right AfD party a suspected threat to democracy

Domestic intelligence agency can now tap communications and use undercover informants to spy on activities

A German court has ruled that the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) can be classified as a suspected threat to democracy, paving the way for the domestic intelligence agency to spy on the opposition party.

The court dismissed a legal challenge brought by the AfD last March that delayed plans by Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) to put the party under surveillance.