In brief
German intelligence elite August Hanning, who ran the Federal Intelligence Service from 1998 to 2005, has been arrested on suspicion of espionage, treason and money‑lending to foreign intelligence agencies. Prosecutors say Hanning used classified data to craft an analysis for a foreign spy officer and maintained contact with another foreign service, exchanging political material for remuneration. Former BND colleague Manfred D, his bureau chief, was also arrested for passing over 2,000 classified documents. The case echoes previous BND corruption scandals involving Russian links and raises concerns over the agency’s internal security protocols.
Former German spy chief August Hanning has been arrested on suspicion of espionage, treason and obtaining classified information for a foreign power, the German Federal Prosecutor’s Office says.
Hanning led the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) from 1998 until 2005 and has since worked as a private consultant. Prosecutors allege he used classified intelligence to “draft an analysis” for a foreign intelligence service and maintained contact with another foreign spying service, though the identities of those agencies remain undisclosed.
The indictment also names former BND employee Manfred D, who served as Hanning’s bureau chief until this year. D is charged with aiding and abetting attempted treason and treasonous espionage for passing Hanning about 2,000 classified documents in exchange for money.
Local media report the arrest took place at Hanning’s home in Nordwalde near Münster, while D was detained in Bavaria. Hanning faces a court appearance on Wednesday; D is due to appear on Tuesday.
According to prosecutors, D used his former chief‑of‑staff position to gain access to highly confidential information, which he allegedly provided to Hanning “in exchange for remuneration.” Over the years, D is believed to have supplied roughly 2,000 documents, many containing information reserved for internal BND use alone.
Hanning is also accused of long‑term contact with a representative from another foreign intelligence service, to whom he passed political information partially derived from D’s material for several years. Prosecutors noted it is unclear whether any of the information reached its intended recipients.
The story about Hanning’s alleged possession of classified documents emerged during an investigation into former German steakhouse heiress Christina Block. Hamburg prosecutors accused Block of orchestrating the kidnapping of her two youngest children in 2023 over a custody dispute. Hanning reportedly played a role in an earlier attempted kidnapping of the children, an allegation he denies.
During the investigation, state criminal police discovered an electronic data storage device containing sensitive information, including recent BND documents.
This isn’t the first time BND leadership has faced suspicion of leaking intelligence. In 2023, a senior German intelligence officer named Carsten L. was charged with passing state secrets to Russia for roughly €400,000; his trial remains ongoing.
By Olivia Ireland, 6 October 2026
