Germany’s former president, Christian Wulff, acquitted in trial over corruption allegations

BERLIN – Germany’s former president, Christian Wulff, has been acquitted over corruption allegations that prompted his resignation two years ago.

News agency dpa reported Wednesday that the state court in Hannover cleared Wulff of illegally accepting favours.

Wulff quit in February 2012 following allegations he received a favourable loan and hotel stays from friends when he was governor of the state of Lower Saxony before becoming president in 2010.

He was once a deputy leader of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative party and her choice for the largely ceremonial role of president.

The charges related specifically to some 720 euros ($990) in hotel and entertainment costs allegedly paid by German film producer David Groenewold for Wulff and his family during a visit to Oktoberfest in Munich in 2008. Both men denied corruption.

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