Former German Spy Chief August Hanning Arrested on Treason Charges

Wed Oct 07 2026 07:18:48 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Ex‑BND head August Hanning detained on accusations of espionage, treason and leaking classified data to foreign intelligence services.

Former head of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service, August Hanning, was arrested on Tuesday on charges of espionage, treason and treasonous espionage. Investigators allege he supplied roughly 2,000 classified documents to foreign intelligence services and maintained contacts with other spy organisations. Ex‑BND operative Manfred D. is also charged with aiding the leaks for money. Hanning’s arrest follows a 2023 trial of another BND officer for passing state secrets to Russia, underscoring ongoing insider‑leak concerns in German intelligence.

Former German intelligence chief August Hanning

Former German spy chief arrested on treason charges

Former head of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND), August Hanning, was taken into custody on Tuesday on accusations of espionage, treason and supplying classified material to foreign agencies, prosecutors said.

Hanning led the BND between 1998 and 2005 before moving into private consulting. Investigators say he used insider knowledge to draft an analysis for a foreign intelligence officer and maintained contact with another spying organisation, although the specific countries have not been disclosed.

Alongside Hanning, ex‑BND operative Manfred D. was arrested in Bavaria. D., formerly Hanning’s bureau chief until this year, is charged with assisting treason by handing over roughly 2,000 confidential documents for money.

Police recovered an electronic storage device in a Hamburg case involving heiress Christina Block, revealing sensitive BND files. The same device allegedly connected Hanning to a kidnapping attempt in 2023 – an allegation he denies.

Germany’s intelligence community has faced similar controversies. In 2023, a high‑ranking officer, Carsten L., was charged with passing Ukrainian and Wagner‑Mercenary information to Russia, and is awaiting trial.

Hanning is scheduled to appear before a court on Wednesday, with D. set to testify next Tuesday. The case highlights the continuing risk of insider leaks in Europe’s top spy agencies.