Politics
ormer German intelligence chief August Hanning has been arrested on charges of espionage, treason, and obtaining classified information for a foreign power.
Former German intelligence chief August Hanning has been arrested on charges of espionage, treason, and obtaining classified information for a foreign power. Prosecutors allege that he used classified information to “analyze information” for a foreign intelligence service and maintained contact with another foreign intelligence service. However, investigators have so far not disclosed which foreign powers are allegedly involved.
Police have also arrested former BND official Manfred D., who is accused of providing Hanning with around 2,000 classified documents in exchange for money. Manfred D. has also been charged with attempted treason and aiding espionage. According to local media reports, August Hanning was arrested at his residence in Nordwalde, near Münster, while Manfred D. was detained in Bavaria. Manfred D. is due to appear in court on Tuesday, while Hanning is scheduled to appear before a court on Wednesday.
This is not the first time the German intelligence agency has faced a serious controversy of this nature. In 2023, a senior intelligence official was also prosecuted for treason after being accused of providing state secrets to Russia. According to the German Federal Prosecutor’s Office, August Hanning served as head of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND) from 1998 to 2005 and has worked as a private consultant since leaving the agency.
