Prosecutor Says German Carved Swastika Herself

A wheelchair-bound German schoolgirl who caused a public outcry with a story that skinheads carved a swastika on her cheek probably did it herself, a prosecutor said Friday.

Public prosecutor Juergen Hossfeld said the investigation showed that the 17-year-old girl apparently was lying when she said three skinheads had cut her for refusing to shout Nazi slogans.

German radio said the girl and her parents had disappeared from the east German city of Halle on Thursday, three days after the alleged attack, which was denounced by German leaders and even drew condemnation from the Vatican.

The prosecutor said doubts were raised early in the search because no suspects and no witnesses could be found despite a hunt by more than 100 policemen.