Former German spy chief arrested on suspicion of treason and espionage

What the report says

German prosecutors said former Federal Intelligence Service president August Hanning was arrested on suspicion of attempted treason and acting as an agent for a foreign intelligence service. Al Jazeera reported that the 80-year-old, who led Germany’s foreign intelligence agency from 1998 to 2005, was detained in Bad Toelz-Wolfratshausen in southern Germany on Tuesday. Authorities also arrested his former chief of staff, identified only as Manfred D, in Steinfurt in western Germany.

According to the prosecutor’s office, Manfred D is suspected of helping Hanning in efforts tied to treason and espionage. The statement said Hanning allegedly used classified material supplied by Manfred D to prepare an analysis for an officer of a foreign intelligence service. Prosecutors also said Manfred D, who later worked for Hanning’s successors, had access to confidential material and passed it on to Hanning in return for payment.

The office said the two men may have exchanged around 2,000 documents over the years, many containing intelligence intended only for internal federal use. It was not disclosed which foreign service or country may have been involved, and prosecutors said it was still unclear whether the material reached the intended recipient. Searches were under way at several locations, including Berlin.

The case has drawn attention because it involves a former senior German intelligence figure and allegations of misuse of state secrets. A German lawmaker cited by AFP said the country would not tolerate the betrayal of secrets, underscoring the political sensitivity of the investigation.