By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-10-06 11:21:10 | Updated at 2026-10-06 12:13:49
1 hour ago
Former German spy chief August Hanning has been arrested today on suspicion of espionage, treason and obtaining classified material for a foreign power, according to Germany’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office.
Hanning, who led the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) between 1998 and 2005, later moved into private consultancy work.
Prosecutors allege, during his time outside government, he used sensitive intelligence in preparing an analysis for a foreign intelligence service and maintained a relationship with another foreign spy service – although neither country has been identified.
A second man, former BND employee Manfred D, has also been arrested, accused of supplying Hanning with around 2,000 classified documents in return for payment.
Manfred D, who served as Hanning’s bureau chief and continued working for the BND until this year, faces allegations of aiding and abetting attempted treason, as well as treasonous espionage.
Prosecutors say he later served as chief of staff to Hanning’s successors from 2012 until 2026.
According to investigators, Manfred D exploited his position to obtain highly sensitive material and subsequently handed it to Hanning "in exchange for remuneration".
"The current findings suggest that, over the years, Manfred D provided Hanning with approximately 2,000 documents, many of which contained classified information to be used exclusively by the Federal Intelligence Service for internal purposes," the statement said.
Prosecutors further allege that Hanning used some of the material in dealings with a foreign intelligence official.
"On one occasion, Hanning used classified intelligence ... to draft an analysis for an officer of a foreign intelligence service," prosecutors said, noting it was not clear if "the material reached the intended recipient".
The former BND chief is separately accused of maintaining a longstanding relationship with an official from another foreign intelligence organisation.
Hanning is also accused 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".
According to German media reports, the investigation into Hanning's alleged handling of intelligence documents emerged from a separate criminal case involving Christina Block, an heiress to the Block House steakhouse chain.
Hamburg prosecutors have accused Block of arranging the abduction of her two youngest children in 2023 amid a custody dispute.
Hanning has denied allegations that he was involved in an earlier attempt to abduct the children.
During that investigation, state criminal police officers reportedly found an electronic storage device containing sensitive material, including recent BND documents.
That discovery subsequently drew attention to Hanning's alleged possession and use of classified intelligence.
The arrests come against the backdrop of previous espionage cases involving Germany's intelligence services. In 2023, a senior BND officer was charged with treason after allegedly passing state secrets to Russia.
Prosecutors accused Carsten L of providing intelligence concerning the war in Ukraine and the Wagner mercenary group, and of receiving approximately €400,000 (£340,000) in return. His trial remains ongoing.
Hanning was reportedly arrested at his home in Nordwalde, near Münster, while Manfred D was detained in Bavaria. Hanning is expected to appear before a court tomorrow, with Manfred D due before a judge on later today.
