Donations to German digital rights site surge amid treason probe, founder hopes for more leaks

Markus Beckedahl, the editor-in-chief and founder of Netzpolitik,org, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the website's office in Berlin, Germany, on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015. The German online magazine thrust into the limelight by a treason probe says it hopes to grow thanks to a surge in donations. Beckedahl and fellow journalist Andre Meister were informed last week that they are under investigation over articles citing secret plans to expand online surveillance in Germany. The case sparked a political row that led to the firing of Germany’s chief federal prosecutor Tuesday. (AP Photo/Frank Jordans) (The Associated Press)

FILE -In this July 14, 2015 file picture German Justice Minister, Heiko Maas , attends a news conference in Berlin. German Justice Minister Heiko Maas says he will request the dismissal and retirement of chief federal prosecutor Harald Range. Maas said Tuesday Aug. 4, 2015 he made the decision after consultations with Chancellor Angela Merkel's office. The Justice Ministry has questioned Range's decision to open a treason investigation against two journalists who had reported that Germany's domestic spy agency plans to expand surveillance of online communication. ( Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa via AP,file) (The Associated Press)

Markus Beckedahl, the editor-in-chief and founder of Netzpolitik,org, working at a computer at the website's office in Berlin, Germany, after an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday, August 5, 2015. The German online magazine thrust into the limelight by a treason probe says it hopes to grow thanks to a surge in donations. Beckedahl and fellow journalist Andre Meister were informed last week that they are under investigation over articles citing secret plans to expand online surveillance in Germany. The case sparked a political row that led to the firing of Germany’s chief federal prosecutor Tuesday. (AP Photo/Frank Jordans) (The Associated Press)

A German online magazine thrust into the limelight by a treason probe says it hopes to grow thanks to a surge in donations.

The founder of digital rights website Netzpolitik.org says supporters have donated more than 50,000 euros ($54,415) in the past week.

Markus Beckedahl says the five-person website may be able to hire more staff now. He told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he's undaunted by the probe and hopes readers will provide more confidential documents for it to report on.

Beckedahl and fellow journalist Andre Meister were informed last week that they are under investigation over articles citing secret plans to expand online surveillance in Germany.

The case sparked a political row that led to the firing of Germany's chief federal prosecutor Tuesday.