Germany Arrests Former Head of Foreign Intelligence on Espionage and Treason Charges
German public prosecutors arrested August Hanning and Manfred D. on suspicion of involvement in espionage and high treason on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency.
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
Berlin, Oct 6 (KUNA) -- The German Public Prosecutor’s Office announced on Tuesday the arrest of August Hanning, former head of Germany’s foreign intelligence agency (BND), on suspicion of espionage, high treason, and acting on behalf of a foreign intelligence service. In a statement issued from its headquarters in Karlsruhe, the prosecutor’s office said that Manfred D., Hanning’s former office director, was also arrested on suspicion of assisting him in the alleged offenses. The German News Agency (DPA) reported that investigations indicate Manfred D. continued to provide Hanning with classified information and documents from the agency after Hanning’s tenure ended, in exchange for financial payments. It added that, according to the investigations, Hanning is suspected of using some of this information to prepare an analysis for an employee of a foreign intelligence service. Hanning headed Germany’s foreign intelligence agency between 1998 and 2005, before moving to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, where he served as state secretary, and later worked as a private-sector security consultant. (End) A.N.J. / M.N.F.
