Former German intelligence chief arrested on suspicion of espionage

Germany’s federal public prosecutor on Thursday detained August Hanning, the former head of the country’s foreign intelligence service, on suspicion of espionage and treason, in what is considered one of the most serious state secrets leaks the agency has faced in recent years.

In a statement posted on X, the prosecutor’s office said: “Hanning is strongly suspected of committing acts of espionage amounting to treason and of gathering information classified as state secrets,” as well as “attempting to commit high treason and acting as an agent for a foreign intelligence service.”

According to German media, the leaked information included highly sensitive reports on Iran’s nuclear program and the Russian military, in addition to intelligence provided by Germany’s foreign partner agencies.

Investigators suspect that Hanning, 80, used this information—at least in one instance—to prepare a security analysis for a foreign intelligence service. He is also alleged to have used internal intelligence documents during communications with an agent of a foreign service.

According to the official statement, the investigation is being conducted in cooperation with the Federal Intelligence Service and the Federal Criminal Police Office. Hanning is expected to appear before a judge at the Federal Court of Justice today and tomorrow, where arrest warrants will be issued and a decision on pre-trial detention will be made.

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