Shafaq News- Berlin
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.
Hanning headed the BND, Germany’s foreign intelligenceservice, from December 1998 to November 2005. Manfred D., whose full identityhas not been disclosed, also served as chief of staff to Hanning’s successorsfor about 14 years before moving to the private sector, where he worked as asecurity consultant, according to Deutsche Welle.
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.
Authorities are searching premises linked to both men atseveral locations, including Berlin.
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.
Manfred D. is suspected of aiding and abetting attemptedtreason and treasonous espionage.
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.
In one instance, Hanning allegedly used classifiedintelligence to prepare an analysis for an officer of a foreign intelligenceservice, although it was unclear whether the material reached its intendedrecipient.
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.
According to German broadcaster ARD, some of the informationleaked by Hanning had originated from foreign intelligence partners.
Marc Henrichmann, chairman of the German parliament’sintelligence oversight committee, told AFP that Germany “will not tolerate thebetrayal of secrets.”
“Whoever allies themselves with the enemies of our liberaldemocracy will be found out,” he added, describing the conduct attributed toHanning as a betrayal of his official duties.
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.
“We have repeatedly warned the federal government about thishighly problematic issue,” he said. “Clearly, such practices also provide anavenue for hostile intelligence services. The full truth about this matter mustalso be uncovered.”
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.
In that case, Hanning and a retired police officer wereaccused of accepting more than €100,000 ($112,000) from Block to return thechildren from Denmark, where they were living with their father.
As part of that investigation, authorities searchedHanning’s properties in September 2025, leading to the opening of the currentinvestigation.
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