Former German Intelligence Chief Arrested on Espionage and Treason Charges

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, August Hanning, the former chief of Germany‘s foreign intelligence service, has been arrested on charges related to treason, espionage, and obtaining state secrets. Reports from Al Mayadeen, citing Mehr News Agency, indicate that Hanning allegedly paid for access to confidential intelligence documents and their subsequent transfer to a foreign service.

The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office in Germany has not disclosed the identity of the foreign service involved in the case. The investigation into Hanning’s activities commenced five years after his tenure concluded at the helm of the German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) in 2005.

Additionally, Manfred D., a former office director within the BND, has also been arrested on suspicion of complicity with Hanning and providing him with classified information. Reports suggest that Hanning obtained approximately 2,000 documents. Deutsche Welle has stated that this case is not connected to Russia.