A former chief of Germany’s foreign intelligence service was apprehended on Tuesday on suspicion of sharing classified information with a foreign intelligence agency, according to the federal prosecutor’s office.
August Hanning, who headed the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) from 1998 to 2005, faces allegations of engaging in treasonous espionage, spying on state secrets, and attempting treason and espionage, as per a statement from the federal prosecutor’s office.
The 80-year-old Hanning was taken into custody in Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen in southern Germany. Another ex-aide, identified as Manfred D., was also arrested in Steinfurt in western Germany on the same day and is accused of aiding and abetting attempted treason and treasonous espionage.
According to Ines Peterson, a spokesperson for the federal prosecutor’s office, there are suspicions that Hanning utilized classified information to create an analysis for a foreign intelligence service employee. Additionally, he is alleged to have shared information after prolonged interactions, also with an intelligence service employee.
The identities of the foreign entities involved in the espionage activities have not been disclosed yet. Both individuals’ premises were searched on Tuesday.
Manfred D., who served as Hanning’s chief of staff and subsequently as chief of staff for several BND presidents from 2012 to 2026, allegedly agreed in 2010 to continually provide valuable intelligence from the BND to Hanning in exchange for compensation.
It is reported that Manfred D. supplied Hanning with about 2,000 documents over the years, many containing classified information intended for internal use by the Federal Intelligence Service, particularly for intelligence briefings.
Hanning reportedly utilized this information for private consultancy work and drafted an analysis for a foreign intelligence service officer using classified intelligence provided by Manfred D.
The ongoing investigation into the abduction of Christina Block’s children from her ex-husband led to the arrests of Hanning and Manfred D. The federal prosecutor’s office mentioned that evidence found during a search of Hanning’s residence in connection with the abduction case triggered the current proceedings.
Hanning and a retired official from the Hamburg State Criminal Police Office are suspected of having accepted a contract from Block in 2022 to abduct her children while working as executives of a security firm. The Blocks are a well-known Hamburg family renowned for their Block House steakhouse chain.
German opposition lawmaker Konstantin von Notz expressed dismay over the allegations against Hanning and urged a prompt and thorough investigation. He emphasized the need for accountability in this matter.
Requests for comments from the BND remained unanswered at the time of reporting.
