Ex-German Spy Chief Arrested on Espionage Charges
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
Former German intelligence chief August Hanning was arrested on charges of espionage, treason, and spying for a foreign power. His arrest is linked to an investigation into the abduction of children belonging to heiress Christina Block, with allegations of Israeli involvement.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Former German intelligence chief August Hanning arrested for espionage.
- Charges include treason and spying for a foreign power.
- Arrest linked to investigation of Christina Block's children's abduction.
- Allegations suggest Hanning sought to resell classified information.
- Israeli lawyer claims other Israelis involved but not investigated.
- Past allegations linked Hanning to a child abduction plot.
August Hanning, the former head of Germany's foreign intelligence agency (BND), was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of espionage. Hanning led the agency from 1998 to 2005. The charges against him include espionage involving state secrets, treason, and spying for a foreign power. German media reports suggest Hanning allegedly acquired classified information for payment from a former managerial employee of the BND, purportedly to "resell the information as part of his work as a consultant."
His arrest followed an investigation linked to the trial of Christina Block, an heiress accused of hiring an Israeli team to abduct her children from their father in Denmark. During Block's investigation, intelligence was received regarding a potential leak of information from the BND. Israeli lawyer Nir Yislovich, who is familiar with the investigation and recently requested Hanning's case file from Hamburg authorities, stated that the file contains indications of involvement by other Israelis who have not been investigated.
Approximately a year ago, a document from German agent Werner Maus, revealed by Kan News, alleged that Hanning had approached former Shin Bet chief Yaakov Peri, who was working for the intelligence company CGI, and asked him to form a team to assist in the abduction of the Block children. This claim was never proven and was vehemently denied by Peri and by Zvika Naveh, CEO of CGI. The Israeli police are also investigating the child abduction case in Germany.
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