Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Former German Spy Chief Arrested on Suspected Treason Charges
August Hanning used to lead Germany’s foreign intelligence agency, the BND.
Police arrested him and former BND office manager Manfred D. Prosecutors suspect that Manfred D. gave Hanning about 2,000 documents over several years in return for money.
Some documents were classified and intended for internal use.
Prosecutors say Hanning used some information to prepare an analysis for a foreign intelligence officer.
They also say he shared political information with a representative of a foreign intelligence service.
Officials have not said which service was involved or whether the analysis reached its intended recipient.
A security lawmaker warned that the case could damage trust with Germany’s intelligence allies.
The BND says it began internal investigations and that internal security cannot be compromised.
Former BND chief August Hanning and former BND office manager Manfred D. were arrested Tuesday on suspicion of espionage-related offenses.
Prosecutors allege that, beginning in 2010, Manfred D. supplied Hanning with around 2,000 documents in exchange for payment.
The documents reportedly included classified BND material and senior-level intelligence briefings; a newspaper reported some concerned Iran and Russia.
Prosecutors say Hanning used classified information to prepare an analysis for a foreign intelligence officer and shared political information with a representative of that service.
Officials have not named the foreign service or confirmed whether the analysis reached its intended recipient; a lawmaker warned the case could harm trust with allies.
- Who
- Former BND chief August Hanning and former BND office manager Manfred D.
- What
- They were arrested on suspicion of espionage-related offenses; prosecutors allege Manfred D. supplied classified documents to Hanning, who used and shared information.
- When
- Both were arrested on Tuesday; prosecutors say the alleged arrangement began in spring 2010.
- Where
- Hanning was arrested at his home in Nordwalde near Münster, and Manfred D. was arrested in Bavaria.
- Why
- Prosecutors suspect the men arranged for Manfred D. to provide intelligence documents to Hanning for payment and that Hanning passed information to a foreign intelligence service.
Investigation and Security
Risks to Intelligence Trust
Agency response
Investigation and Security
The BND says it launched extensive internal investigations and that internal security cannot be compromised.
Risks to Intelligence Trust
Roderich Kiesewetter warned that espionage cases of this kind are damaging to trust and could strain relations with intelligence allies.
Oversight and accountability
Investigation and Security
Konstantin von Notz called the allegations deeply troubling and demanded a swift and thorough investigation.
Risks to Intelligence Trust
The foreign service involved has not been identified, and prosecutors have not confirmed whether the analysis reached its intended recipient.
- Arrests
- Hanning and Manfred D. were arrested on Tuesday.
- Alleged document transfers
- Prosecutors say Manfred D. supplied Hanning with around 2,000 documents over the years.
- Alleged arrangement
- Prosecutors say the arrangement began in spring 2010 and involved payment.
- Documents
- They reportedly included classified material for internal BND use and senior-level intelligence briefings.
- Alleged use of information
- Prosecutors say Hanning prepared an analysis for a foreign intelligence officer and shared political information with a representative of that service.
- Foreign service
- Prosecutors did not identify the service; reporting citing Sueddeutsche Zeitung said the case does not involve Russia.
- BND response
- BND President Martin Jaeger said the agency launched extensive internal investigations and that there can be no compromises on internal security.
- Allied trust
- Security lawmaker Roderich Kiesewetter warned the case could strain trust with Germany’s intelligence allies.
Sources
Former German spy chief arrested for attempted treason, obtaining state secrets
Ex-German spy chief August Hanning arrested over suspected treason, espionage
Former German spy chief August Hanning arrested on espionage charges
