World·Espionage

Former German spy chief August Hanning arrested on suspicion of treason and espionage

Published 5:00 PM CT, Tuesday, October 6, 2026 · Updated 5:08 PM CT
In the 5 PM CT update

August Hanning, 80, who led Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND) from 1998 to 2005, was arrested Tuesday with a former aide identified as Manfred D. on suspicion of treasonous espionage and attempted treason, the Washington Examiner reported. German federal prosecutors said Manfred D., chief of staff to several BND presidents from 2012 to 2026, gave Hanning about 2,000 documents, many classified, in exchange for payment. Prosecutors said Hanning passed political information to a representative of a foreign intelligence service for several years; that service was not identified.

• Germany
• August Hanning
• BND
• Espionage
• Treason
• Intelligence
• Federal Intelligence Service
• Counterintelligence
• Europe
• National security