Former German Spy Chief Arrested for Espionage, Attempted Treason
August Hanning, who led Germany's foreign intelligence service from 1998 to 2005, is accused of obtaining classified documents for private consulting work.
A former head of Germany's foreign intelligence service, the BND, has been arrested on suspicion of espionage and attempted treason, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday.
August Hanning, 80, who led the BND from 1998 to 2005, is accused of obtaining classified documents and using secret information to prepare an analysis for an employee of a foreign intelligence service. Prosecutors stated that Hanning is strongly suspected of treasonous espionage, spying out state secrets, attempted treason, and espionage.
A former aide, identified as Manfred D., was also arrested and is accused of aiding and abetting attempted treason and treasonous espionage in connection with the case. Manfred D. served as Hanning's chief of staff before holding similar positions under Hanning's successors at the BND between March 2012 and March 2026. Prosecutors allege that beginning in 2010, Manfred D. routinely transmitted intelligence to Hanning in exchange for payment, providing him with approximately 2,000 documents, many classified, until June 2022.
Hanning allegedly used this information in his private consulting work. The investigation reportedly stemmed from evidence gathered during an unrelated case involving the 2024 abduction of children during a custody dispute.
German authorities have not publicly identified the foreign intelligence services allegedly involved. Hanning and Manfred D. were expected to appear before a judge at Germany's Federal Court of Justice following their arrests. This marks the first detention of a former head of Germany's foreign intelligence service.