A second suspect, identified only as Manfred D. under German privacy laws, was arrested at his home in Bavaria on suspicion of aiding in treason. According to police, Manfred D. – who served as Hanning's former bureau chief – was apprehended on accusations that he provided nearly 2,000 documents, most of them classified, to Hanning up until 2022 [1].
The federal prosecutor ordered both men taken into custody on suspicion of espionage and treason, officials said. Prosecutors allege that Hanning used valuable intelligence he received from Manfred D. in his private consulting work [2]. The arrests represent one of Germany's most significant intelligence scandals in decades.
Prosecutors Allege 16-Year Intelligence Scheme
German prosecutors said the suspects are believed to have agreed in spring 2010 for Manfred D. to continuously transmit valuable intelligence from the BND to Hanning in exchange for remuneration. Prosecutors alleged Hanning drafted an analysis for an officer of an undisclosed foreign intelligence service and said it was unclear whether the material reached its recipient [2].
Der Spiegel reported the analysis was prepared for Azerbaijani intelligence services, and Hanning is reportedly a member of the board of the German-Azerbaijani Forum. Middle East Eye reported that Hanning sold information to Azerbaijan [3].
Hanning is suspected of spending 16 years illegally collecting classified documents and selling some information to an undisclosed foreign power, according to the allegations. The country on whose behalf Hanning allegedly acted remains unclear, and the case is reportedly not linked to Russia [4]. Prosecutors described the matter as potentially one of the greatest intelligence breaches in the country's post-Cold War history [5].
Investigation Began With Unrelated 2025 Raid
The investigation began virtually by accident in 2025 when police raided Hanning's home in connection with an unrelated abduction case involving steakhouse chain heiress Christina Block, according to reports. Police found 2,000 highly sensitive security documents that Hanning had no right to possess, including reports on BND senior leadership and briefing materials for the weekly intelligence meeting at the German chancellery.
Manfred D. was Hanning's chief of staff at the BND and later served as chief of staff for several BND presidents between March 2012 and March 2026, officials said. The two men had worked together at the agency before Hanning's retirement.
The case is the latest embarrassment for the BND, which is still dealing with the 2023 arrest of Carsten Linke, a BND desk chief charged with treason for allegedly passing material to Moscow. Authorities arrested Linke on suspicion of spying for Russia, charges he denies in a court case that is ongoing [5].
Courtney Herrmann of the Center for Strategic and International Studies noted that the BND has long struggled with internal security, and that the agency's failures have drawn increased scrutiny from German lawmakers. The arrest of a former agency president marks an unprecedented breach.
Officials and BND Respond
Marc Henrichmann, chairman of the German parliament's intelligence oversight committee, told AFP that Germany would "not tolerate the betrayal of secrets." Henrichmann also said, "Whoever allies themselves with the enemies of our liberal democracy will be found out."
Incumbent BND President Martin Jäger said the agency had "initiated comprehensive internal investigations at an early stage and without delay. These have confirmed the suspicion." Jäger added, "For the BND and for me, there can be no compromises when it comes to internal security."
A German court ordered Hanning kept in custody following his arrest. Court orders German ex-spy chief kept in jail after spying, treason arrest dealt an embarrassing blow to Germany as the country tries to expand and improve its intelligence agencies to counter threats from Russia and other adversaries [6].
Russia Links and Ongoing Investigation
A key focus of the investigation is likely to be Hanning's links to Russia, including at least seven trips to Russia between 2015 and 2019, according to The Insider. Prosecutors said Hanning used information he received from Manfred D. in his private consulting work [2].
Hanning has been a hawkish voice on Moscow in Germany's national security debate and appeared as a witness in a London courtroom in support of Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, according to reports. His history of engaging with Russian entities while publicly advocating a hard line on Moscow has drawn attention from investigators.
The investigation is ongoing, and no trial date has been announced. Manfred D. remains in custody, and prosecutors continue to review the thousands of classified documents seized during the raids. Hanning's arrest represents a significant challenge for German intelligence at a time when the country is seeking to strengthen its security services against foreign threats [6].
References
- Germany Arrests Former Spy Chief on Espionage Charges. https://thenewamerican.com/world-news/europe/germany-arrests-former-spy-chief-on-espionage-charges/
- Germany’s Ex-Spy Chief Arrested on Suspicion of Attempted Treason. https://theepochtimes.com/world/german-ex-spy-chief-arrested-on-suspicion-of-attempted-treason-6100065
- Former German spy chief arrested for treason | Middle East Eye. https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/german-spy-chief-arrested-treason
- Germany's ex-intelligence chief arrested for alleged treason. https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/germanys-ex-intelligence-chief-arrested-alleged-treason?utm_source=justthenews.com&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=external-news-aggregators
- Former German spy chief arrested for treason and espionage. https://www.politico.eu/article/former-german-spy-chief-bnd-arrested-for-treason-and-espionage-august-hanning/
- Court orders German ex-spy chief kept in jail after spying, treason arrest. https://www.courthousenews.com/court-orders-german-ex-spy-chief-kept-in-jail-after-spying-treason-arrest/
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