Former German spy chief arrested for espionage and treason - BBC News                            (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c58jzyer1kr0o)  (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c58jzyer1kr0o)  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c58jzyer1kr0o)  (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c58jzyer1kr0o)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-36.413a37b227.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-48.010dc96bcf.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-57.1fcd0dc805.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-60.52f68a148f.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-72.f155fdb25f.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-76.cb5ee392d4.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-96.35ee2d1e20.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-114.7ccdf53cba.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-120.73e20442a9.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-128.060d346f09.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-144.e08bc23631.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-152.4de1981be0.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-180.1a18cb7b72.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-192.3ac042fa43.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-384.728e3a03d3.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-512.685da29e9e.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/favicon/news/favicon-16.8a240ceacc.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/favicon/news/favicon-32.5cf4e6db02.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/manifest.11b0cb15658c4719a2c19e25644577223adaa7b2.json)   (https://www.bbc.com)   BBC Homepage    (c58jzyer1kr0o@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#main-heading) Skip to content  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility/) Accessibility Help          (https://account.bbc.com/account?lang=en-GB&ptrt=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fnews%2Farticles%2Fc58jzyer1kr0o)    Your account       (https://www.bbc.com) Home  (https://www.bbc.com/news) News  (https://www.bbc.com/sport) Sport  (https://www.bbc.com/future/earth) Earth  (https://www.bbc.com/reel) Reel  (https://www.bbc.com/worklife) Worklife  (https://www.bbc.com/travel) Travel  (https://www.bbc.com/culture) Culture  (https://www.bbc.com/future) Future  (https://www.bbc.com/culture/music) Music  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl9m) TV  (https://www.bbc.com/weather) Weather  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds) Sounds   (c58jzyer1kr0o@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#global-navigation-more-menu)    More menu     (c58jzyer1kr0o@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#global-navigation-more-menu)   More menu    (https://www.bbc.com/search?d=NEWS_GNL)    Search BBC      (https://www.bbc.com) Home  (https://www.bbc.com/news) News  (https://www.bbc.com/sport) Sport  (https://www.bbc.com/future/earth) Earth  (https://www.bbc.com/reel) Reel  (https://www.bbc.com/worklife) Worklife  (https://www.bbc.com/travel) Travel  (https://www.bbc.com/culture) Culture  (https://www.bbc.com/future) Future  (https://www.bbc.com/culture/music) Music  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl9m) TV  (https://www.bbc.com/weather) Weather  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds) Sounds   (c58jzyer1kr0o@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#more-menu-button)   Close menu          (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news)   BBC News      (c58jzyer1kr0o@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#product-navigation-menu)    Menu  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news) Home   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cmj34zmwm1zt) Climate   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world) World   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/us_and_canada) US & Canada   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk) UK   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business) Business   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology) Tech   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science_and_environment) Science   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment_and_arts) Entertainment & Arts   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health) Health     (c58jzyer1kr0o@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#product-navigation-more-menu)    More     (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in_pictures) In Pictures   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/bbcverify) BBC Verify   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat) Newsbeat         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world) World   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/africa) Africa   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/asia) Asia   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/australia) Australia   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/europe) Europe   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/latin_america) Latin America   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/middle_east) Middle East           Former German spy chief arrested for espionage and treason      (August Hanning in Berlín in 2015. He is wearing a suit and looking forward.)    Image source,  AP  Image caption,  Agents arrested August Hanning (pictured from 2015) at his home on Tuesday       By Olivia Ireland     Published 6 October 2026, 11:05 BST           Former German spy chief August Hanning has been arrested on suspicion of espionage, treason and obtaining classified information for a foreign power, the German Federal Prosecutor's Office says.  Hanning headed the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) from 1998 to 2005 and has since been working as a private consultant.  Prosecutors allege that he used classified intelligence to "draft an analysis" for one foreign intelligence service and maintained contact with another foreign spying service. Investigators have not disclosed which foreign powers were involved.  Police also arrested former BND employee Manfred D, accusing him of passing Hanning about 2,000 classified documents for money. Manfred D, who was Hanning's bureau chief and remained in the BND until this year, is charged with aiding and abetting attempted treason and treasonous espionage. Local media reported Hanning was arrested at his home in Nordwalde near Münster while Manfred D was arrested in Bavaria. Hanning is due in court on Wednesday and Manfred D will appear on Tuesday. Prosecutors say Manfred D, who also served as the chief of staff for Hanning's successors between 2012 and 2026, used his role to gain access to highly confidential information which he then passed on to Hanning "in exchange for remuneration".  "The current findings suggest that, over the years, Manfred D provided Hanning with approximately 2,000 documents, many of which contained classified information to be used exclusively by the Federal Intelligence Service for internal purposes," the statement says.  "On one occasion, Hanning used classified intelligence ... to draft an analysis for an officer of a foreign intelligence service," prosecutors said, noting it was not clear if "the material reached the intended recipient". Hanning is also accused of being "in close contact with a representative of another foreign intelligence service, to whom he passed on political information, partially based on material provided by Manfred D, for several years".  Local media say Hanning's alleged possession of intelligence documents came to light during a separate case relating to German steakhouse heiress Christina Block. Hamburg public prosecutor's office accused Block of orchestrating the kidnapping of her two youngest children in 2023 due to a custody dispute. Investigators allege Hanning was involved in an earlier attempted kidnapping of the children, which he denies. State criminal police officers reportedly discovered an electronic data storage device containing sensitive information including recent BND documents. It is not the first time the BND has faced similar controversy. A high-ranking German intelligence officer was (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66727785) charged with treason in 2023 for allegedly passing state secrets to Russia. Prosecutors alleged Carsten L shared intelligence about the war in Ukraine and the Wagner mercenary group and received roughly €400,000 ($450,000; £340,000). His trial is ongoing.     Related topics  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/c77jz3md4rdt) Germany  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cm8m1lj59z3t) Corruption  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/c7rmrr2w79xt) Spying        More on this story (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crlw4ng79wzo) Almost 60,000 far-right extremists in Germany, intelligence agency says     Published 30 June          (Young neo-Nazis with German flags, including one young man with a black t-shirt that reads: "Germania", wait to be allowed by police to resume a demonstration in Berlin last year.)          (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp9edjpvplpo) Germany investigates Russia links to weapons cache discovered in woods, reports say     Published 21 August          (A German police officer standing next to a police vehicle. The officer wears an operational vest that reads "polizei".)                (vertical video collection) The video playlist   Watch our pick of standout clips from across the BBC      Previous     Next         0:47 Kemi Badenoch wants Reform voters to 'come back' 00:00:47, play video Kemi Badenoch wants Reform voters to 'come back'    (Kemi Badenoch in a white suit)           0:51 Should you be worried about the Asos hack? 00:00:51, play video Should you be worried about the Asos hack?    (Smartphone screenshot of the notification hackers sent to customers.)           1:22 What Russia says about death of plague lab researcher. 00:01:22, play video What Russia says about death of plague lab researcher    (A satellite image of a Russian plague research lab.)           0:59 Why are students protesting in France? 00:00:59, play video Why are students protesting in France?    (Students bang against shields held by riot police.)           0:49 Young Tories on if their party should do a deal with Reform UK. 00:00:49, play video Young Tories on if their party should do a deal with Reform UK    (A young man talking to the camera at the Tory Party Conference. He has short dark hair and a moustache. He is wearing a dark blue jacket, white shirt and  a taupe tie.)           2:24 'I thought I was a monster' 00:02:24, play video 'I thought I was a monster'    (A young woman holds a glass of prosecco and is wearing a graduation gown. She is in her 20s and is smiling at the camera.)           1:09 Ex-American Idol contestant jailed for wife's murder. 00:01:09, play video Ex-American Idol contestant jailed for wife's murder    (Caleb Flynn has short grey hair. He is wearing a white T-shirt and orange prison overalls.)           0:51 'I found out I had cancer when son kicked my testicles' 00:00:51, play video 'I found out I had cancer when son kicked my testicles'    (Ben Lidgey in black sunglasses)           0:27 Why is it called 'El Niño'? 00:00:27, play video Why is it called 'El Niño'?    (Boats on water under an orange sky)           0:43 Staff find copy of Bayeux Tapestry in school attic. 00:00:43, play video Staff find copy of Bayeux Tapestry in school attic    (School teachers and students stand in a line holding out copy of Bayeux Tapestry)           1:30 Teenager shows BBC life inside Gaza displacement camp. 00:01:30, play video Teenager shows BBC life inside Gaza displacement camp    (Two young girls sat on a step. One (left) is dressed in all black, the other (right) is dressed in light brown.)           0:36 Jeremy Clarkson: Farming this year was 'an absolute disaster' 00:00:36, play video Jeremy Clarkson: Farming this year was 'an absolute disaster'    (Jeremy Clarkson wearing blue suit, white shirt and blue tie)           0:25 How to get into Glasto if you missed out on tickets. 00:00:25, play video How to get into Glasto if you missed out on tickets    (Glastonbury Pyramid stage with a large crowd and flags.)           1:18 Five-year-old rescued from well after days trapped. 00:01:18, play video Five-year-old rescued from well after days trapped    (A number of men crouch over a well with a line and torch looking down.)           1:12 Brazil election goes to run-off as Bolsonaro wins first round. 00:01:12, play video Brazil election goes to run-off as Bolsonaro wins first round    (Flávio Bolsonaro has short dark hair and is wearing a bright yellow, short-sleeved shirt.)           1:09 Why are so many children starting school in nappies? 00:01:09, play video Why are so many children starting school in nappies?    (A potty is in the centre of a child's playroom. It is surrounded by toys on a shelf and a pram.)               Top stories (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmp3gnd1e4gyo) Three arrested after raid on gang accused of helping migrants pretend to be gay to get asylum     Published 2 hours ago            (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/crgj97n2x1j4o) Watch: Police raid on gang behind fake gay asylum claims      Published 3 hours ago            (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8kgezxn54qko) US death row inmate Christa Pike awake and speaking after failed execution, lawyers say     Published 13 minutes ago                More to explore (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cxdd8035jzn3o) What is pneumonic plague and how does it spread?      (This colourised microscopic image shows Yersinia pestis, the bacterium that causes plague. The rod-shaped bacteria appear in pale green and cluster across the surface of red tissue cells. The image highlights how the microbes gather and multiply on host tissue, illustrating the infectious organism responsible for pneumonic and bubonic plague.)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cme3r9eq2w0lo) We're saving £100 a month for our kids but they won't get it until they're 57      (Richard and Caitlin Brain and their two children)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5gmr3dl2lp4o) I had to crawl on my hands and knees to get off train, says disabled woman      (Phoebe Tesoriere is smiling at the camera and wearing a grey fleece jacket. She has long blonde hair. She is in a wheelchair.)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjr4yxv6xzqeo) Bikers gather at care home to grant resident's wish      (A man with white hair and moustache sits on a vintage-style scooter in the foreground, surrounded by dozens of people and rows of motorcycles at an outdoor gathering. Several scooters and motorbikes, including red, silver and blue models, are parked closely together, with a crowd standing behind them in a car park on a bright day.)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr78p97072jeo) Prince William joins Ross Kemp to prepare for emergencies      (Ross Kemp and Prince William laugh as they sit at a table inside a room full of people.)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmkg8g2kxkr0o) Peanut allergy scare inspired life-saving idea      (A man is sat with his arms outstretched, with some medical kits on display in front of him.)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crp3g5n5pd1go) 'I'm glad my miracle stroke treatment is now available 24/7'       (A blonde woman with her hair tied back. She wears a denim jacket)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwn73mzly7v4o) Rosie O'Donnell and Julie Hesmondhalgh to appear in play about Gisele Pelicot case      (Composite image showing Adjoa Andoh, Rosie O'Donnell, Tamzin Outhwaite and Julie Hesmondhalgh)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsletters/zgmn46f) US Politics Unspun: Cut through the noise with Anthony Zurcher's newsletter      (A cut of of Anthony Zurcher wearing a suit and tie in front of a red, black, grey and blue graphic background featuring the US Capitol Building)             Elsewhere on the BBC (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002stm7?at_mid=AGN4uoj05A&at_campaign=The_Reluctant_Vampire&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=iplayer&at_brand=m002stm3&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=The_Reluctant_Vampire&at_bbc_team=BBC) Bite into Lenny Rush's much-anticipated supernatural comedy        (The Reluctant Vampire)        (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0032f30?at_mid=jo8RwUp6NN&at_campaign=Eras_Spice_Girls&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=sounds&at_brand=p0g7xpwt&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=Eras_Spice_Girls&at_bbc_team=BBC) Five girls. One era-defining phenomenon. Meet the Spice Girls        (Eras: Spice Girls)        (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0032cxk?at_mid=kmejv8dHm5&at_campaign=Here_For_The_History_Why_Dont_We_Wear_Hats&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=iplayer&at_brand=m002z05r&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=Here_For_The_History_Why_Dont_We_Wear_Hats&at_bbc_team=BBC) Why don't we wear hats anymore?        (Here For The History: Why don't we wear hats anymore?)        (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00332xg?at_mid=7Y3TjE5xKF&at_campaign=Please_Dont_Will_The_Real_Wayne_and_Coleen_Please_Stand_Up&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=sounds&at_brand=p0p9vbyh&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=Please_Dont_Will_The_Real_Wayne_and_Coleen_Please_Stand_Up&at_bbc_team=BBC) The new pop culture podcast hosted by two kings of the hot take        (Please Don't)            Most read 1 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8kgezxn54qko) US death row inmate Christa Pike awake and speaking after failed execution, lawyers say       2 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c64g1p3ry51do) Man charged with GP's murder       3 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmp3gnd1e4gyo) Three arrested after raid on gang accused of helping migrants pretend to be gay to get asylum       4 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwe8ry2dn6z7o) PCs who used Taser and baton on amputee, 92, sacked       5 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm62ep294qxlo) From films to streaming prices - how the Warner Bros deal could affect you       6 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cxdd8035jzn3o) What is pneumonic plague and how does it spread?       7 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqlye0xd72wdo) British national arrested in connection with RAF Fairford incident       8 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8x23706pvz3o) Tear gas in Paris and Marseille as school protests grow across France       9 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj62ylzpr6d3o) Asos confirms hackers sent 'unauthorised' notification to app users       10 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9x28ljj34lxo) I'd rather have another election than do a deal with Reform UK, says Badenoch               BBC News Services  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10628994)    On your mobile  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/help-50068132)    On smart speakers  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10628323)    Get news alerts  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/20039682)    Contact BBC News     (https://www.bbc.com) Home  (https://www.bbc.com/news) News  (https://www.bbc.com/sport) Sport  (https://www.bbc.com/future/earth) Earth  (https://www.bbc.com/reel) Reel  (https://www.bbc.com/worklife) Worklife  (https://www.bbc.com/travel) Travel  (https://www.bbc.com/culture) Culture  (https://www.bbc.com/future) Future  (https://www.bbc.com/culture/music) Music  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl9m) TV  (https://www.bbc.com/weather) Weather  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds) Sounds   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/usingthebbc/terms) Terms of Use  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc) About the BBC  (https://www.bbc.com/usingthebbc/privacy) Privacy Policy  (https://www.bbc.com/usingthebbc/cookies) Cookies  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility) Accessibility Help  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/guidance) Parental Guidance  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/contact) Contact the BBC  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/careers) Careers  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcnewsletter) BBC emails for you  (https://www.bbc.com/advertisingcontact/) Advertise with us    Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines/guidance/links-and-feeds) Read about our approach to external linking.         ()