Former German spy chief suspected of espionage

 

Isak Fritzon 

Published 19:53 | Updated 20:08

He served as Germany's spy chief for a long time.

Now, August Hanning, 80, has himself been arrested for espionage.

After leaving office, he allegedly obtained 2,000 documents and passed information on to a foreign power.

Hanning was arrested on Tuesday morning at his home outside Münster, according to reports by several German media outlets and Deutsche Welle. 

He led the German intelligence agency BND between 1998 and 2005 and subsequently worked at the Ministry of the Interior until 2009.

He is now suspected of espionage, the disclosure of state secrets, and attempted high treason. The charges do not specify which foreign intelligence agency he allegedly worked for.

**Colleague suspected as accomplice**

Manfred D., a former close associate of Hanning, has also been arrested. He served as Hanning’s chief of staff at the BND and later held senior positions within the intelligence service, where he reportedly had access to vast amounts of classified material.

The two men allegedly agreed on the scheme as early as 2010.

**Used in private consultancy business**

Over the course of several years, Manfred D. allegedly supplied Hanning with approximately 2,000 documents, many containing classified information. He reportedly received payment in return.

According to the charges, Hanning used the information in his private consultancy business. However, he is also alleged to have maintained contact with a foreign intelligence agent over a long period and passed information on to them.