Former German spy chief August Hanning arrested over alleged espionage, treason

Germany’s intelligence establishment has been rocked by a major espionage scandal after former Federal Intelligence Service (BND) chief August Hanning was arrested over allegations that he obtained classified intelligence and used it in dealings with foreign intelligence services.

Hanning, who headed Germany’s foreign intelligence agency from 1998 to 2005, was arrested Tuesday in southern Germany after federal prosecutors accused him of treasonous espionage, obtaining state secrets, attempted treason and acting as an intelligence agent.

A former BND official identified as Manfred D., who is alleged to have supplied Hanning with the sensitive material, was also arrested. Properties linked to the two men were searched in Berlin, Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia as investigators moved to establish the extent of the alleged intelligence operation.

According to prosecutors, the alleged arrangement dates back to around 2010, five years after Hanning left the BND.

Investigators say Manfred D., who continued working within the intelligence service and later served as chief of staff to several BND presidents, exploited his access to confidential information to provide Hanning with intelligence in exchange for payment.

Over several years, he allegedly handed Hanning approximately 2,000 documents, many containing classified information intended exclusively for internal BND use, including senior-level intelligence briefings.

Prosecutors allege that Hanning subsequently used the material in his private consulting work.

In one particularly serious allegation, investigators say Hanning used classified intelligence supplied by Manfred D. to prepare an analysis for an officer of a foreign intelligence service.

It remains unclear whether the analysis ever reached its intended recipient, and prosecutors have not identified the foreign intelligence service involved.

They also allege that Hanning maintained contact for years with a representative of another foreign intelligence service and passed on political information, some of it based on material supplied by Manfred D.

“The accused Hanning is under strong suspicion of espionage constituting treason,” prosecutors said.

The case represents a potentially serious blow to Germany’s intelligence establishment, particularly because Hanning once occupied the top position at the BND and is accused of exploiting intelligence networks and information after leaving public office.

The investigation emerged from a separate case involving the alleged kidnapping of the children of German steakhouse heiress Christina Block.

Hanning had been investigated in connection with that case, in which he and a retired police officer were accused of accepting a commission to help return Block’s children from Denmark.

A search of Hanning’s property in September 2025 during that investigation reportedly uncovered material that triggered the espionage inquiry.

The latest case comes at a sensitive time for Germany’s intelligence services as Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government seeks to strengthen the BND’s ability to conduct offensive cyber operations, counter foreign threats and undertake more aggressive intelligence activities.

Germany has faced previous concerns over infiltration of its intelligence apparatus.

In 2022, authorities arrested former BND department head Carsten L. on suspicion of spying for Russia. He has denied the allegations and his case remains before the courts.

German parliamentary intelligence oversight committee chairman Marc Henrichmann said the country would not tolerate the betrayal of state secrets.

“Whoever allies themselves with the enemies of our liberal democracy will be found out,” he said.

The BND declined to comment on the arrests and referred questions to prosecutors, while Hanning had not responded to requests for comment.

Prosecutors said both suspects were due to appear before a judge at Germany’s Federal Court of Justice as investigators pursue the case.