German authorities have arrested former intelligence chief August Hanning in a major investigation into the alleged theft and possible transfer of classified state secrets to a foreign intelligence service.
Hanning, 80, who headed Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND) from 1998 to 2005, was detained in southern Germany alongside former BND employee Manfred D. Prosecutors accuse the two men of involvement in an operation that allegedly gave Hanning access to thousands of sensitive intelligence documents.
Investigators believe the arrangement began in 2010, with Manfred D. allegedly providing confidential material to Hanning in exchange for payment. Prosecutors say around 2,000 documents were obtained, including intelligence briefings concerning Iran’s nuclear programme, Russian military activities and information supplied by foreign partners.
Authorities also suspect Hanning used some of the material to prepare an analysis for a foreign intelligence officer and maintained contact with another foreign intelligence representative.
The foreign service allegedly involved has not been identified. German media have reported a possible link to Azerbaijan, but prosecutors have not confirmed this.
The case has attracted particular attention because of Hanning’s former position at the head of Germany’s foreign intelligence service. Investigators reportedly believe classified information continued reaching him until 2022, raising serious questions about security procedures within the BND.
The agency has launched an internal investigation, while German lawmakers have expressed concern over the potential impact on relations with intelligence partners.
Both men remain under investigation and have not been convicted. Authorities are still working to determine what information was allegedly passed on and whether it ultimately reached a foreign intelligence service.
