German authorities on Tuesday arrested former foreignintelligence chief August Hanning and his former aide, Manfred D., on suspicionof espionage, attempted treason and mishandling classified information,including material concerning Iran’s nuclear program and the Russian military.
The Federal Prosecutor’s Office did not identify thecountries that may have benefited from the information. The case comes asGermany seeks to strengthen its intelligence capabilities and improve thereputation of its security services amid growing concerns over Russianespionage and sabotage activities.
Prosecutors said Manfred D. also served as chief of staff toHanning’s successors between 2012 and 2026. He allegedly used his position toaccess classified information, which he then passed to Hanning in exchange forpayment.
Prosecutors said their current findings indicate thatManfred D. provided Hanning with about 2,000 documents over the years, many ofwhich contained classified information intended solely for internal use by theBND.
Hanning is also accused of maintaining close contact with arepresentative of another foreign intelligence service and passing that personpolitical information based partly on material provided by Manfred D. overseveral years.
Marc Henrichmann, chairman of the German parliament’sintelligence oversight committee, told AFP that Germany “will not tolerate thebetrayal of secrets.”
Henrichmann also criticized the ability of senior formerofficials with access to classified information to move into the private sectorand potentially use their networks and access to sensitive information forpersonal gain, which could give Germany’s adversaries access to sensitiveinformation or networks.
Hanning had also come under scrutiny in connection with theChristina Block child-abduction case. Searches of his properties in September2025 during that investigation helped lead authorities to the current espionageinquiry.
As part of that investigation, authorities searchedHanning’s properties in September 2025, leading to the opening of the currentinvestigation.
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