BERLIN — A former head of Germany’s foreign intelligence service has been detained on suspicion of passing state secrets to a foreign intelligence agency, following an arrest warrant issued by a federal judge on Wednesday.
August Hanning, 80, who served as director of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) from 1998 to 2005, faces charges including treasonous espionage, unauthorized disclosure of state secrets, attempted treason, and espionage. He was arrested on Tuesday, alongside Manfred D., a former aide to Hanning who is identified only by initials under German privacy laws. Manfred D. is accused of aiding and abetting attempted treason and treasonous espionage.
According to federal prosecutors, the two individuals allegedly entered into an agreement in 2010 in which Manfred D., then serving as chief of staff for multiple subsequent BND directors, provided Hanning with classified foreign intelligence information over a 12-year period, beginning in 2010 and continuing until June 2022. Prosecutors allege Hanning exploited this information for personal financial gain through his private consulting work. Approximately 2,000 documents were reportedly transmitted during this period.
In one case, Hanning is said to have used classified material to prepare an analysis for a foreign intelligence employee, though prosecutors have not confirmed whether it was received. Another instance involved an “extensive exchange” of information with a different intelligence service representative, according to the prosecution.
The identities of the foreign intelligence services involved and the full scope of the leaked materials remain undisclosed. Prosecutors emphasize that many documents contained highly classified executive intelligence briefings intended for exclusive internal use.
“No additional information beyond the official statement will be provided at this time,” said Ines Peterson, a spokesperson for the federal prosecutor’s office.
The German government has condemned the alleged breaches as deeply concerning. Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s office stated it is “taking this case extremely seriously” and fully supporting ongoing investigations. Spokesperson Sebastian Hille noted the need to “analyze the situation and reach the bottom of it,” while acknowledging uncertainty about whether intelligence sharing vulnerabilities require systemic changes.
The parliamentary intelligence oversight committee chair, Marc Henrichmann, described the breach as a “shock” to both German and international intelligence circles. He emphasized the importance of re-engaging with allied agencies to address potential trust erosion, while expressing confidence in Germany’s intelligence reputation internationally.
German politicians are now debating stricter regulations restricting former officials with security clearances from post-government consulting roles. The case emerges amid broader legislative efforts to strengthen Germany’s domestic and foreign intelligence capabilities, including enhanced powers to counter cyber threats and sabotage, reflecting heightened concerns about Russian and extremist activities. In August, the cabinet approved reforms to expand the BND and BfV’s operational autonomy, reducing reliance on allied intelligence sources.
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