Former German spy chief arrested on suspicion of treason and espionage | Espionage News
Former Head of German Intelligence Arrested on Espionage Charges
Oct. 6, 2026
Germany’s former foreign intelligence chief, August Hanning, has been arrested on charges of espionage and treason, according to prosecutors. The 80-year-old Hanning is under investigation for alleged attempted treason and for acting as an agent for a foreign intelligence service, as confirmed by the Office of the Federal Public Prosecutor General.
Hanning, who served as president of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service from 1998 to 2005, was taken into custody in Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen, a town in southern Germany. His former chief of staff, identified partially as Manfred D., was apprehended in Steinfurt in western Germany on similar charges, including aiding and abetting attempted treason and espionage.
In a statement, the prosecutor’s office indicated that Hanning had used classified intelligence information provided by Manfred D. to draft analysis for an officer of a foreign intelligence service. Manfred D. reportedly held the position of chief of staff for Hanning’s successors between 2012 and 2026. Prosecutors allege he accessed confidential materials that he subsequently shared with Hanning in exchange for compensation.
Investigators believe that over the years, Manfred D. provided Hanning with approximately 2,000 documents, many of which contained classified information intended solely for internal use by the intelligence service, particularly for executive briefings.
The prosecution did not disclose the identity of the foreign entity or country involved in the suspected espionage, stating that it remains unclear whether the disclosed material reached its intended recipient.
In response to the arrests, German Member of Parliament Marc Henrichmann emphasized the country’s commitment to safeguarding its secrets, stating that Germany “will not tolerate the betrayal of secrets.” As chair of the parliamentary intelligence oversight committee, Henrichmann warned that “Whoever allies themselves with the enemies of our liberal democracy will be found out.”
Authorities are conducting searches of properties linked to both Hanning and Manfred D. in several locations, including Berlin.
