Dr August Hanning, 80, BND president from December 1998 to November 2005 was arrested today on suspicion of espionage and attempted treason

[william]

The man who once ran German foreign intelligence was taken from his own house at dawn. No former German spy chief has ever been in a case like this.

The charges, from the federal prosecutor. Against Hanning: treasonous espionage, spying out state secrets, attempted treason, and acting as an agent for a foreign service. Treason in Germany carries one year to life. These are allegations. He has not been convicted.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2107402968110944417

Germany arrests former intelligence chief over alleged spying

August Hanning served as president of Federal Intelligence Service from 1998 to 2005

www.theguardian.com

Former German spy chief arrested for espionage and treason

August Hanning is accused of obtaining classified information for a foreign power.

www.bbc.com

https://news.sky.com/story/former-german-spy-chief-arrested-on-espionage-allegations-13595660

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/06/world/europe/germany-spy-chief-hanning-arrested-espionage.html