Germany Arrests Former Spy Chief for Espionage and Attempted Treason
August Hanning, who led the BND intelligence agency from 1998 to 2005, is accused of passing classified information to foreign services.
Germany's former top intelligence official, August Hanning, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted treason and espionage for a foreign intelligence service. Hanning, who headed the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) from 1998 to 2005, is alleged to have received and passed on sensitive information.
Authorities also arrested Manfred D., identified as Hanning's former chief of staff, on charges of aiding and abetting attempted treason and treasonous espionage. Prosecutors stated that Manfred D. served as chief of staff for Hanning's successors between 2012 and 2026, allegedly using his position to access confidential information which he then supplied to Hanning for payment.
The investigation suggests Manfred D. provided Hanning with approximately 2,000 documents, many containing classified material intended solely for internal use by the BND. It is further alleged that Hanning used classified intelligence on at least one occasion to prepare an analysis for an officer of a foreign intelligence service, though it remains unclear if the material reached its intended recipient.
Hanning is also accused of maintaining close contact with a representative of another foreign intelligence service for several years, to whom he allegedly relayed political information, partly derived from material provided by Manfred D.
Searches are reportedly underway at premises linked to both Hanning and Manfred D. in multiple locations, including Berlin. The exact foreign intelligence services involved have not been specified.