Former German spy chief August Hanning arrested on suspicion of espionage, prosecutors say

German federal prosecutors say August Hanning, a former president of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), was arrested on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, on suspicion of espionage. The Guardian, DW, Le Monde, Reuters and AP reported the announcement.

Hanning led the BND from December 1998 to November 2005. According to the prosecutor's statement, the suspected offences include espionage, attempted treason and offences relating to state secrets. The Guardian quoted the statement as saying he is "strongly suspected of treasonous espionage, spying out state secrets, attempted treason and espionage". The Guardian and DW translate the wording differently.

A second suspect, a former aide identified only as Manfred D., was also arrested on Tuesday. He is suspected of aiding and abetting attempted treason and espionage. Prosecutors say he was Hanning's chief of staff at the BND. From 2012 until March 2026, he was chief of staff to later BND presidents. "In his role, he had access to confidential information," the statement said, as quoted by the Guardian.

Prosecutors believe the two agreed in 2010 that Manfred D. would pass BND intelligence to Hanning for payment. The statement says he provided about 2,000 documents over the years. Many were classified and meant only for internal BND use. Prosecutors say Hanning used the information in his private consulting work. They also allege he used classified intelligence to prepare an analysis for an officer of a foreign intelligence service. The prosecutor's office did not name the country or service. Both suspects' premises were searched on Tuesday.

According to DW, Manfred D. allegedly supplied information until at least mid-2022. DW quoted the statement as saying Hanning was "in close contact with a representative of another foreign intelligence service, to whom he passed on political information, partially based on material provided by Manfred D., for several years". The Guardian, however, quoted prosecutors as saying: "It has yet to be determined if the material reached the intended recipient." The reports do not reconcile these passages. DW also reports that both suspects were expected before an investigating judge on Tuesday and Wednesday.

What is disputed

The Guardian says Hanning was arrested in Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen and Manfred D. in Steinfurt. DW, citing WDR, NDR and Sueddeutsche Zeitung, says Hanning was arrested at his home in Nordwalde and Manfred D. in Bavaria. Accounts of what triggered the investigation also differ. DW links it to a trial involving businesswoman Christine Block. Daily Sabah, citing Bild, links it to an alleged leak of reports intended for the chancellery.

What each side says

Prosecutors say Hanning is strongly suspected of espionage and attempted treason. Marc Henrichmann, chair of the parliamentary intelligence oversight committee, said in comments to AFP, as reported by DW: "Whoever allies themselves with the enemies of our liberal democracy will be found out". According to Daily Sabah, the Sueddeutsche Zeitung described the case as potentially one of the largest espionage affairs in the Federal Republic's history. The reports do not include any response from Hanning, Manfred D. or their lawyers. They also do not describe the payment's amount or form.

Analysis

The case concerns allegations, not proven conduct, and both men are entitled to the presumption of innocence. If the allegations are substantiated, they could raise questions about how the BND controls access to sensitive briefings. They could also raise questions about contacts between former officials and serving staff. Much depends on details that remain unclear. These include which foreign service was involved and whether any material reached it. They also include what information was shared. Investigating judges and any later court proceedings may clarify these points. Parliamentary oversight bodies may also examine the case. No outcome can be assumed at this stage.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.