Former intelligence chief August Hanning arrested in Germany — Euronews

Former president of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service, BND, August Hanning, has been arrested in Germany. He is suspected of unlawfully obtaining classified information from a former employee of the agency and using these materials in private consulting activities, Euronews reports.

Suspected of obtaining state secrets

According to the publication, Germany’s Federal Prosecutor General is investigating the case involving 80-year-old Hanning on suspicion of, among other things, obtaining state secrets and espionage connected with treason.

Investigators believe that after leaving office, he continued to receive confidential documents from the intelligence service for several years. His former chief of staff is suspected of transferring the materials and has reportedly also been arrested.

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Possible transfer of data being examined

As Süddeutsche Zeitung writes, the documents included intelligence reports intended for the German Chancellery. Investigators are also examining whether classified information could have been transferred to foreign states.

The investigation reportedly began after information emerged during proceedings involving German businesswoman Christina Block and a suspected leak of documents from the Chancellery. Reports of these suspicions are based on a joint investigation by Süddeutsche Zeitung and German public broadcasters WDR and NDR.