German brothel reaps windfall profits from parliament flag

HALLE, Germany (AFP) - A German brothel owner has sold a flag that used to flutter above Berlin's Reichstag parliament building for five times the sum she paid for it and says much of the proceeds will go to charity.

"We have sold it at auction on the Internet for 16,050 euros (19,000 dollars)," said Christiane Schmittroth, director of the X-Carree brothel in the eastern town of Halle.

Schmittroth, 42, caused uproar when she made the winning bid at an auction for the flag organised by the cash-strapped Bundestag lower house of parliament, which sits in the Reichstag.

But shocked German deputies soon discovered that the red, black and gold banner was to fly proudly from the roof of a brothel.

"It is a scandal for Germany," said one conservative opposition lawmaker.

Now the flag has moved on. "We have now sold it to a gentleman in western Germany, whose identity we would prefer to keep a secret," said Schmittroth.

She said the price had probably rocketed to 16,000 euros from its purchase price of just 3,350 euros because of the huge media interest in the scandal.

"As promised the lion's share of the sale will go to local children suffering from cancer," she said.

In all, the 6.5 by 4.5 metre (21 by 15 foot) flag waved proudly above the brothel for about three weeks.