Former German spy chief arrested on allegations of treason and espionage

August Hanning, Germany's former intelligence head, was arrested on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, facing serious allegations of treason and espionage. Hanning, who led the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) from 1998 to 2005, is suspected of illegally acquiring state secrets and attempting to pass them to foreign intelligence services. His former chief of staff, identified as Manfred D., was also apprehended on suspicion of aiding and abetting these alleged crimes.

Prosecutors allege that Hanning and Manfred D. entered an agreement in 2010 for Manfred D. to continuously supply Hanning with classified BND documents in exchange for payment. Manfred D., who remained employed at the BND until March 2026, reportedly provided approximately 2,000 highly sensitive documents to Hanning over several years. Hanning is accused of using this information in his private consulting endeavors, including drafting an analysis for an officer of an unidentified foreign intelligence service and maintaining contact with another foreign intelligence representative.

The investigation reportedly commenced after authorities discovered classified BND materials on an electronic device during a separate inquiry into a child abduction case in which Hanning was involved as a consultant. German prosecutors have characterized the case as potentially one of the most significant national security breaches since the Cold War era.