In Germany, more than 1,000 people demonstrated in Berlin Saturday in solidarity with two journalists who may be facing a treason investigation for reporting on the government’s plans to increase mass surveillance. The federal prosecutor said it was opening the treason investigation Thursday after the publication of two articles on the website Netzpolitik.org. Andre Meister, one of the journalists facing charges, spoke out Saturday.

Andre Meister: “The accusation is particularly absurd because it is a matter of secret service spying, and without whistleblowers like Edward Snowden, we would have no idea what is going on, what the secret services are doing with our tax money. There is even an investigation committee that wouldn’t exist at all without whistleblowers. Whistleblowers need our support and immunity from prosecution. We actually need a whistleblower protection law instead of criminal prosecution.”

Following protests, the prosecutor general has said he is awaiting the result of an internal investigation before deciding how to proceed. If charges are filed, it will be the first time journalists have faced treason charges in Germany in more than 50 years.