Former German intelligence chief arrested on suspicion of treason and espionage
publishers 47articles 53first reported 6 Oct, 08:10 UTCdeveloping since 6 Oct · 10 editionstop 25 #9
German authorities arrested former foreign intelligence chief August Hanning and a former aide on Tuesday over allegations that classified BND documents were obtained for payment and used in Hanning’s private consulting work.
Federal prosecutors said Hanning, 80, is strongly suspected of offenses including treasonous espionage, spying out state secrets, attempted treason and acting for a foreign intelligence service. He led Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service, known as the BND, from 1998 to 2005 and later served as a senior Interior Ministry official.
His former chief of staff, identified under German privacy rules as Manfred D., was arrested on suspicion of aiding attempted treason and treasonous espionage. Prosecutors allege the two agreed in 2010 that Manfred D. would provide Hanning with BND intelligence in exchange for payment. Manfred D., who later worked for several of Hanning’s successors, allegedly supplied about 2,000 documents over several years, many containing classified information intended for internal BND use and executive briefings.
Prosecutors said Hanning used classified intelligence to prepare an analysis for an officer of a foreign intelligence service, though investigators have not determined whether it reached the intended recipient. He also allegedly passed political information, partly derived from the documents, to a representative of another foreign intelligence service over several years.
Authorities did not identify the countries or services allegedly involved. The suspects’ premises were searched following their arrests.
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Written from 8 articles, 6 with the publisher's own text; 7 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 6 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
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- This version written
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