Disgraced German politician dies in parachute jumpOne of Germany's mostcontroversial politicians, former deputy chancellor JuergenMoellemann who enraged German Jews by criticising Israel, fellto his death today in a parachute jump.
Police said they were investigating whether Moellemann, anexperienced skydiver who had served as a paratrooper in theGerman armed forces, committed suicide or died in an accident.
Moellemann's stunts - he often parachuted into campaignevents - had helped propel him to the top of the liberal FreeDemocrat Party, but he quit in March in disgrace over charges ofanti-Semitism and irregular party funding.
His death coincided with a search of his home in Muenster,western Germany, by prosecutors probing allegations he violatedparty funding rules. Also today, parliament lifted hisimmunity from prosecution as a parliamentary deputy.
Eyewitnesses and a state prosecutor said Moellemann'sparachute opened normally after he jumped from a plane at aheight of 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) but that he then fell awayfrom it.
"Mr Moellemann went into freefall and apparently did notmanage to open the reserve parachute," the prosecutor leadingthe investigation told a news conference.
Moellemann, who parachuted hundreds of times, was found deadin a field near the western city of Marl.
A former advertising executive and a vigorous self-promoter, Moellemann completed about 80 jumps in the run-up tolast September's general election.
Moellemann quit the party in March, saying he was victim ofa witchhunt. Party chiefs blamed his war of words with GermanJewish leaders for the FDP's poor election showing.
Prosecutors had been investigating whether he hid partydonations that financed a campaign leaflet criticising IsraeliPrime Minister Ariel Sharon.
Moellemann hit the headlines last year for supporting aSyrian-born politician in North Rhine-Westphalia who had accusedIsrael of using "Nazi methods" against Palestinians.
He said at the time he was merely challenging a taboo in acountry still afflicted by guilt over the Holocaust and wasquestioning its unwavering public support for Israel.
Moellemann was economy minister and vice chancellor from1991 to 1993 when the FDP was junior partner in a coalition withthe conservatives under Helmut Kohl.