Ex-German Spy Chief Arrested for Espionage and Treason

Germany is reporting the arrest of August Hanning, the former head of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), on suspicion of espionage for a foreign intelligence service. The German prosecutor's office stated that Hanning is suspected of espionage constituting treason, collecting state secrets, attempted severe treason, and acting as an agent for an intelligence service. Hanning, 80, who led the BND from 1998 to 2005, was arrested at his home in Nordwalde, near Münster. His former aide, identified only as Manfred D., was also arrested in Bavaria.

Prosecutors did not specify which foreign service Hanning allegedly spied for. However, they indicated that his associate, Manfred D., who served as Hanning's chief of staff and remained a senior official until March 2026, provided Hanning with thousands of classified documents over more than a decade in exchange for money. Searches were conducted at the homes of both men. Manfred D., who was Hanning's chief of staff during his tenure and held the same role for subsequent service heads until 2026, had access to the classified information he allegedly passed to Hanning.

According to the prosecution, the two agreed as early as spring 2010 that Manfred D. would regularly supply Hanning with valuable intelligence from the BND for payment. It is believed that Manfred D. transferred approximately 2,000 documents to Hanning over the years, many containing classified information intended for internal use, including intelligence briefings for senior officials. Hanning allegedly used this information in his work as a security consultant for companies, with reports suggesting he had ties to Russia and China.

The suspicion of espionage reportedly arose from a separate investigation into Hanning's alleged involvement in the kidnapping case of the children of heiress Christina Block. This case also involves Israelis, who are suspected of being part of a gang allegedly hired by Block to abduct her children. During the investigation into Hanning's role in a prior attempted abduction, investigators discovered an electronic storage device containing classified BND information at his home and office in September of the previous year. This discovery raised significant suspicion, as Hanning had not held a position with access to such data since 2005.

Reports indicate that the leaked documents included sensitive information on topics such as Iran's nuclear program and the Russian military, as well as intelligence received from partner nations. The leak of such material is considered a severe failure, potentially damaging trust between intelligence agencies. Lawyer Nir Yislovich, representing two suspects in the Block kidnapping case, has requested Hanning's investigation file, citing information about a potential recording involving Hanning's representative and an Israeli company, and alleging selective enforcement regarding the investigation of various parties involved.