Key Takeaways
- August Hanning, former head of Germany’s BND foreign intelligence agency, arrested on suspicion of espionage.
- Hanning’s former chief of staff also arrested for allegedly aiding treason.
- Reforms to intelligence agencies expected to be passed by parliament early next year.
A former German spy chief, August Hanning, has been arrested on suspicion of passing sensitive information to foreign powers, according to federal prosecutors. Hanning, who ran Germany’s BND foreign intelligence agency from 1998 to 2005, is accused of espionage, treason, and working for foreign intelligence services.
Hanning’s former chief of staff, partially named as Manfred D., was also arrested on suspicion of aiding treason. The aide is accused of using his position to obtain classified information and sell it to his former boss.
Hanning is alleged to have used the information in his private consulting work, including preparing a briefing for a foreign spy and passing information to an agent of another foreign intelligence service, according to prosecutors.
The scandal is particularly embarrassing as it comes after the German government recently signed off on a major overhaul of intelligence agencies, giving them broader powers to conduct covert operations. The BND and the BfV domestic spy service have traditionally had more limited powers than foreign counterparts, but authorities are seeking to strengthen them to face growing threats, especially from Russia.
Martin Jaeger, the current head of the BND, stated that the agency had ‘quickly carried out extensive internal investigations’ into the Hanning case before federal prosecutors took over the probe. Jaeger added that the incident had ‘not called into question any of my aims or any of my priorities.’
According to prosecutors, Manfred D. provided Hanning with approximately two thousand documents over several years, many of which contained classified information. Hanning is accused of using this information to draft an analysis for an officer of a foreign intelligence service, although it is not clear if the material reached the intended recipient.
The ARD broadcaster reported that the information passed on by Manfred D. included material on the Iranian nuclear programme and the Russian army. Security sources quoted by the broadcaster stated that some of the information came from partner intelligence agencies abroad.
Marc Henrichmann, chairman of parliament’s intelligence oversight committee, said, ‘Whoever allies themselves with the enemies of our liberal democracy will be found out. ’ He added that Hanning’s alleged behaviour would represent ‘trampling his official duties underfoot.’
Treason can be punished with a maximum penalty of life in prison in Germany. The reforms to intelligence agencies are expected to be passed by parliament early next year.
Whoever allies themselves with the enemies of our liberal democracy will be found out.
Marc Henrichmann, Chairman of parliament’s intelligence oversight committee
For the BND and for me, there are no compromises when it comes to internal security.
Martin Jaeger, Current head of the BND
