Germany arrests ex-spy chief Hanning in espionage probe

August Hanning, who led Germany's BND foreign intelligence agency from 1998 to 2005, was arrested on Tuesday, October 6, on suspicion of espionage and attempted treason, according to Germany's federal prosecutor's office. His former chief of staff was also taken into custody.dw+2

Prosecutors said Hanning faces allegations of espionage, disclosure of state secrets, attempted treason and working as a secret service agent. The second suspect, a former senior BND employee identified only as Manfred D. under German privacy rules, is accused of giving Hanning hundreds of classified documents in exchange for payment. He is suspected of "aiding and abetting attempted treason and treasonous espionage," AFP reported, citing the prosecutors' statement.nst+1

Alleged links to a foreign service

According to AFP, prosecutors also accuse Hanning of being "in close contact with a representative of another foreign intelligence service, to whom he passed on political information, partially based on material provided by Manfred D., for several years." The Associated Press reported that the prosecutor's office has not said which country the men are suspected of spying for.8newsnow+1

Reuters, citing Bild, reported that prosecutors allege Hanning bought secret information from the former BND employee and intended to sell it on through his consulting work. According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, as cited by Euronews, the documents included intelligence reports meant for the Chancellery. Investigators believe the 80-year-old kept receiving confidential material for several years after he left office.tvpworld+1

Police searched properties linked to both men in several places, including Berlin. Reports differ on where Hanning was detained. WDR, NDR and the Süddeutsche Zeitung said he was arrested at his home in Nordwalde, near Münster, and that Manfred D. was detained in Bavaria. The AP reported that Hanning was arrested in Bad Toelz-Wolfratshausen in southern Germany. Both suspects are expected to appear before an investigating judge on Tuesday and Wednesday. The BND and the federal prosecutor's office did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.nst+3

How the investigation began

According to Bild, investigators opened the case after finding a suspected leak of intelligence reports meant for the Chancellery. Euronews reported that the leads came up during proceedings involving German businesswoman Christina Block.ua+1

Hanning spent seven years as BND president and then served as state secretary at the Federal Interior Ministry until November 2009. Investigators are now looking into whether classified information may have been passed to foreign states.dw+1