Former BND chief arrested on suspicion of passing secrets to foreign power

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  August Hanning, who led Germany’s foreign intelligence service from 1998 to 2005, was arrested on suspicion of treasonous espionage and passing state secrets to a foreign power.

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  Federal prosecutors allege that he used a former chief of staff as a mole to obtain nearly 2,000 documents over 12 years.

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  The prosecutors say Hanning later used the intelligence for clients of a private consulting firm he set up after retiring.

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  Hanning is in pretrial detention and has denied passing confidential documents to foreign powers through his lawyers.

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  The case has prompted concerns about damage to Germany’s intelligence ties and calls for reform.

Who

August Hanning, the former head of Germany’s federal foreign intelligence service, and his former chief of staff, identified as Manfred D.

What

Hanning was arrested on suspicion of treasonous espionage and passing state secrets to a foreign power.

When

Tuesday; the article does not give a calendar date for the arrest.

Where

Nordwalde, Germany, where Hanning was detained at his estate.

Why

Prosecutors allege Hanning obtained intelligence through a former chief of staff and used it for clients of his private consulting firm.

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