Former German Intelligence Chief Arrested on Espionage and Treason Charges
Mian Nadeem
Published October 06, 2026 | 10:09 PM
August Hanning, who headed Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND) from 1998 to 2005, was arrested on suspicion of espionage, treason, and obtaining classified information for a foreign power, according to the German Federal Prosecutor’s Office.
Prosecutors allege that he used classified information to "analyse information" for a foreign intelligence service and maintained contact with another foreign intelligence service. Investigators have not disclosed which nations were involved.
Police also arrested a former BND employee, Manfred D., accused of providing Hanning with approximately 2,000 classified documents in exchange for money. Manfred D. is charged with attempted treason and assisting espionage.
According to German media, August Hanning was arrested at his home in Nordwalde, near Münster, while Manfred D. was detained in Bavaria. Manfred D. will appear in court on Tuesday, while Hanning will face court on Wednesday.
This incident is not the first time Germany’s intelligence agency has faced such a serious controversy. In 2023, a senior intelligence official was also tried for treason over allegations of providing state secrets to Russia.