Prominent German ex-lawmaker says he's discussing possible closing of child porn case

Published December 02, 2015

Former lawmaker Sebastian Edathy gestures prior to a press conference in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014. Edathy's press conference is his first public appearance after he stepped down when allegation of possession of child pornography became public in February 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn) (The Associated Press)

A former German lawmaker who quit amid a child pornography investigation says discussions are underway with prosecutors on possibly closing the case against him in exchange for a fine.

Sebastian Edathy is scheduled to face trial in February on charges he downloaded child pornographic images and videos on his parliamentary laptop and also possessed "youth pornography."

Edathy, a member of Germany's junior governing party, quit parliament in February, days before police searched his home and offices. Questions remain over whether and how Edathy was tipped off, and a Cabinet minister resigned over the case.

Edathy maintained Thursday his actions were a mistake but legal. He said a judge has proposed closing the case in exchange for a "manageable" fine, a device commonly used in Germany which brings no conviction.

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