Germany's Ex-Spy Chief Arrested on Suspicion of Attempted Treason

Prosecutors say August Hanning obtained confidential documents through a former aide, as lawmakers demand tighter restrictions on former intelligence officials.

Germany's Ex-Spy Chief Arrested on Suspicion of Attempted Treason

TL;DR

  • August Hanning, former head of Germany's Federal Intelligence Service (1998-2005), arrested on Oct. 6.
  • Accused of paying a former aide for classified documents.
  • Allegedly used the aide to prepare an analysis for a foreign spy service.
  • Suspected of treasonous espionage, spying out state secrets, attempted treason, and espionage.
  • Prosecutors claim he used intelligence from the aide in his private consulting work.