Former BND chief August Hanning arrested in Germany on suspicion of espionage

August Hanning, former head of Germany's foreign intelligence agency, the BND, has been arrested. The case has caused a stir in Germany's intelligence establishment. Hanning headed the BND from 1998 to 2005.

The Federal Prosecutor's office has expressed serious suspicion of espionage, obtaining state secrets and attempted treason against him. Hanning was arrested in southern Germany on Tuesday. A former senior BND official has also been taken into custody with him.

According to the investigating agency, Hanning is suspected of receiving a large number of confidential documents over several years from a former colleague who worked at the BND. The investigation refers to around 2,000 documents.

It is alleged that Hanning used some of this information while working as a private consultant. Investigators also suspect that in one case he prepared an analysis for a foreign intelligence officer on the basis of confidential information. However, the foreign intelligence agency concerned has not been officially named.

Hanning's former chief of staff, Manfred D., has also been arrested in the case. According to the investigation, he is suspected of gaining access to confidential BND information from 2012 to 2022 or even later and passing documents to Hanning. It is alleged that he was paid for this.

Investigators say Hanning may have prepared an analysis for a foreign intelligence officer on the basis of the sensitive information he received. Which foreign agency was involved has not been officially disclosed. For this reason, this part of the investigation is considered extremely sensitive.

Hanning's arrest has caused a major stir in Germany's intelligence establishment. The case has raised serious questions about the security of the country's sensitive information. How far the allegations are true will become clear in court proceedings.