Bundesanwaltschaft: Ex-BND-Präsident Hanning wegen Spionageverdachts in U-Haft

Ex-Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND) President August Hanning has been placed under investigation for alleged espionage, the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office announced. Bundesanwaltschaft spokesperson stated that Investigations Judge in Karlsruhe had issued an arrest warrant for the 80-year-old. The highest German prosecution authority accuses Hanning of secret service agent activities, treasonous surveillance, searches of state secrets, and attempted treason.

Hanning's attorney admitted that his client had been in possession of confidential documents, but denied the claim that he had passed on information to the detriment of the Federal Republic of Germany, let alone for payment. Legal counsel Leon Kruse further emphasized that his client is being unjustly pursued. Earlier, "Welt" and "Spiegel" had reported on the statement.

Former BND chief Manfred D. was arrested on Tuesday for aiding and abetting attempted treason and treasonous surveillance. Law enforcement officials had taken both under arrest based on arrest warrants - Hanning in Steinfurt, North Rhine-Westphalia and D. in the Bavarian district of Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen. The pair allegedly agreed since 2010 that Manfred D. would procure valuable BND insights for Hanning against payment as part of his consulting work.

Hanning supposedly held information exclusively for internal matters of the German foreign intelligence service for a possible twelve-year period. In one case, he allegedly used secret information to conduct an analysis for a non-German intelligence agency employee. It was unclear which country this refers to. Reports suggest Hanning may have been connected with an Azerbaijani agent.

The Federal Public Prosecution did not comment on this. Hanning served as BND president from December 1998 to November 2005. According to the Federal Public Prosecution, Manfred D. followed Hanning as an assistant to the Federal Interior Ministry between December 2005 and November 2009, where he was State Secretary. Hanning then went into the private sector and worked as a security consultant.

Manfred D. later returned to work for several BND presidents as bureau chief between March 2012 and March 2026. During this time, he had access to confidential information. According to dpa, Manfred D. is now retired.