August Hanning, who led Germany’s intelligence service from 1998 to 2005, is accused of obtaining and potentially passing classified information to a foreign intelligence service.
Former German intelligence chief August Hanning has been arrested on suspicion of espionage and treason, according to German media, in a case prosecutors are investigating as a major intelligence scandal.Federal prosecutors are investigating Hanning and a second former intelligence service (BND) employee, identified as Manfred D., according to newspapersBildandSueddeutsche Zeitung.Hanning allegedly paid Manfred D. for classified information and may have passed it to a foreign power.Police arrested Hanning at his home near Muenster on Tuesday, while Manfred D. was detained in Bavaria.
Investigators also searched properties in Bavaria and Berlin.Manfred D., Hanning’s former office director, allegedly supplied him with top-secret BND material for money until at least 2022.Investigators believe about 2,000 documents were passed to Hanning, including sensitive reports on Iran’s nuclear programme and the Russian army.The reports, prepared for high-level intelligence briefings at the Chancellery, also included material from foreign partner services.German officials warned that such a leak could damage trust between the BND and allied intelligence agencies.The media reports said the foreign intelligence service involved was not Russian, although some of the leaked files covered Russia.
European Union suspends beef imports from Namibia
More than 40,000 jobs could be at risk because of the suspension.
Gambia buys two mega generators to deal with electricity crisis
The Gambia has been rocked by protests in recent weeks over power and water cuts.
Australia opposition pledges ‘biggest cut to immigration’ in history
Coalition proposes cutting net overseas migration to 100,000 a year initially, with tighter limits on temporary visas and international students.
All rights reserved. Newstimetr © 2026
