Former BND chief August Hanning and BND employee Manfred D are arrested for espionage and treason, facing charges of passing classified information to foreign intelligence services. They are accused of sharing approximately 2,000 documents over a decade, with Hanning using classified data for private consulting.
Hanning, who led BND from 1998 to 2005, was arrested at his home in Nordwalde. D, his former chief of staff, was arrested in Bavaria. Both were searched, with D serving as chief of staff to Hanning's successors until 2026.
The investigation, linked to a trial involving heiress Christina Block, reveals Hanning's alleged contacts with foreign intelligence services. Prosecutors allege Hanning used classified information for private analysis, with D providing documents in exchange for payment.
Hanning's case follows similar controversies, including a 2023 treason charge against a BND officer. The arrests highlight ongoing concerns over intelligence service integrity and the protection of state secrets.