The former leader of Germany’s foreign intelligence service, August Hanning, has been arrested under accusations of espionage and attempted treason. Prosecutors allege that Hanning, 80, used classified documents to prepare an analysis for a foreign intelligence service employee.
Hanning’s tenure as head of the Federal Intelligence Service, known as BND, spanned from 1998 to 2005. Federal prosecutors have accused him of various offenses, including treasonous espionage and spying on state secrets.
A former aide of Hanning, identified as Manfred D., was also arrested in western Germany for allegations of aiding attempted treason and espionage. He served as Hanning’s chief of staff and continued as chief of staff to his successors at BND from March 2012 to March 2026, granting him access to sensitive information.
Beginning in 2010, prosecutors claim Hanning and Manfred D. made an arrangement for Manfred D. to transmit intelligence to Hanning regularly for payment. This arrangement purportedly lasted until June 2022, with Manfred D. allegedly providing approximately 2,000 documents, many containing internal classified information. Hanning is accused of utilizing the information during his consulting work.
A spokesperson from the prosecutor’s office informed German broadcaster RTL that the investigation suggests Hanning employed classified data to prepare analyses for a foreign intelligence employee and passed information following significant interactions with another intelligence service representative. The involved foreign intelligence entities remain unidentified.
The case emerged from investigations leading back to the unrelated 2024 abduction of the children of Hamburg businesswoman Christina Block during a custody confrontation. Authorities state that substantial evidence linked to Hanning’s arrest was found during that probe.
Hanning’s detainment marks the first case of a former head of Germany’s foreign intelligence agency being apprehended. Proceedings are expected at Germany’s Federal Court of Justice shortly after their arrests.
The Associated Press and Fox News Digital contributed to this report.