Heckler & Koch given negative "Closed Oyster" award for lack of transparency

[unhappycamper]

http://www.dw.com/en/heckler-koch-given-negative-closed-oyster-award-for-lack-of-transparency/a-18562122

A German association promoting investigative journalism has awarded arms maker Heckler & Koch with its "Closed Oyster" award. Netzwerk Recherche said the firm had attempted to have spies follow critical journalists.

Heckler & Koch given negative "Closed Oyster" award for lack of transparency
05.07.2015

In May, a defense ministry official was removed from his job after trying to get Germany's Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD) to cover up negative reports about H&K's G36 rifle, which is used by the Bundeswehr. The company was said to have lobbied the government to do mobilize the spies.

Friederichs said at the awards ceremony, "In the conflict zones of the world Heckler & Koch is as well known as Daimler-Benz."

The new chair of Netzwerk Recherche, Julia Stone, said, "It is well known that Heckler & Koch is reluctant to answer questions of any kind and prefers to speak through lawyers, and has even threatened journalists."

Stone claimed Heckler & Koch had taken secrecy to a "new level."

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H&K also 'donated' 6,000 guns to the CIA's Guns For Money program in the CIA's Fast & Furious program.