Berlin - A German court approved a plan yesterday to end the investigation of Dr Helmut Kohl on condition that the former German Chancellor pays a DM300,000 (£120,000) fine, Derek Scally reports. The 14-month investigation arose from DM2 million in political donations made to Dr Kohl's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) during his 16 years as chancellor.
The investigation was hampered by Dr Kohl's persistent refusal to name the donors. The deal leaves Dr Kohl without a criminal record but the investigation has damaged his reputation and that of the CDU party. Dr Kohl remains under investigation to determine whether the donations constituted bribes.