Former German spy chief arrested over alleged classified leaks

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 03:13 · Archive

German prosecutors have arrested August Hanning, the former head of the BND foreign intelligence agency, accusing him of espionage.

August Hanning, 80, headed Germany's BND foreign intelligence service before building a second career in private consulting and corporate intelligence across Europe, Russia and Asia. German federal prosecutors arrested him on Tuesday on suspicion of treasonous espionage, attempted treason and other espionage offences.

Prosecutors allege that Hanning obtained a stream of secret intelligence from his former chief of staff, identified under German privacy rules as Manfred D., and used the material to benefit his private consulting business. The alleged supply of classified documents lasted from 2010 until June 2022.

One EU intelligence official described the case as 'catastrophic for Germany and for Western intelligence services', saying investigators were in shock. The official noted that the scale appeared enormous, especially given that the case was discovered while investigators were working on a separate matter, suggesting further revelations may emerge.

The timing creates difficulties for German intelligence. Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government has just begun parliamentary debate on a new law to grant the BND sweeping new powers as part of efforts to restore Germany's foreign intelligence service to the top ranks globally. The case also comes as European governments rewrite security laws to give spy agencies greater authority amid Russian hybrid attacks.

How it is being reported

• Meet the German spymaster turned treason suspectThe former head of Germany’s foreign intelligence service built a lucrative second career trading on his security expertise. Now prosecutors accuse him of profiting from secrets belonging to the state.Politico Europe · 8 Oct, 20:14
• An explosive allegation rocks Germany’s spy agencyIts former chief is accused of passing on classified information to foreign agentsThe Economist · 8 Oct, 14:01

In this story: August Hanning · BND · Germany · Friedrich Merz · Manfred D.

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