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Spiegel Reports Former German Spy Chief Had Chinese Contacts
August Hanning used to lead Germany’s foreign intelligence service.
Spiegel reported that he had contacts with a former senior Chinese general and had travelled to China several times.
Hanning was detained on suspicion of passing information from confidential documents to foreign intelligence agents.
The suspected activity is said to have happened after he retired and began working as a security consultant.
Prosecutors have not explained what information may have been shared or who may have received it.
Hanning’s lawyer said he had not harmed Germany and was being prosecuted wrongfully.
The reported contacts do not establish who, if anyone, received information.
Spiegel reported that former German intelligence chief August Hanning had longstanding contacts with former senior Chinese general Wang Jianzheng.
The magazine said Hanning had travelled to China several times and knew a former official who had served at China’s embassy in East Germany.
Reuters reported that Hanning was detained on suspicion of sharing confidential-document information with foreign intelligence agents.
The alleged sharing took place after Hanning retired in 2005, when he worked as an independent security consultant.
Prosecutors have not said what information may have been shared or who may have received it; Hanning’s lawyer denied that he damaged German interests.
- Who
- Former German intelligence chief August Hanning; Spiegel also reported his longstanding contacts with former Chinese general Wang Jianzheng.
- What
- Hanning was detained on suspicion of sharing information from confidential documents with foreign intelligence agents; the alleged recipients have not been identified.
- Where
- Germany; Spiegel reported that Hanning had travelled to China several times.
- When
- The report was dated October 9; the alleged activity took place after Hanning retired in 2005.
- Why
- Authorities suspect Hanning shared information from confidential documents provided by his former chief of staff.
Prosecutors' suspicion
Hanning's defense
Alleged espionage
Prosecutors' suspicion
Authorities detained Hanning on suspicion of sharing information from confidential documents with foreign intelligence agents.
Hanning's defense
Hanning’s lawyer denied that he damaged German interests and said the prosecution was wrongful.
Key facts
- Former intelligence chief
- August Hanning
- Reported Chinese contact
- Former senior general Wang Jianzheng
- Retirement
- Hanning left Germany’s foreign intelligence service in 2005.
- Post-retirement work
- He worked as an independent security consultant.
- Allegation
- Suspected sharing of information from confidential documents with foreign intelligence agents.
- Prosecutors' comments
- They had not identified the material or its alleged recipients.
- Hanning's response
- His lawyer denied that Hanning damaged German interests and said he was being wrongfully prosecuted.
Sources
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