BERLIN, OCTOBER 06, 2026 : Germany’s federal prosecutor’s office said Tuesday that authorities have arrested August Hanning, a former head of the country’s foreign intelligence service, on allegations related to espionage.
Hanning served as president of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND) from December 1998 to November 2005.
Former BND Chief Arrested
According to the federal prosecutor’s office, Hanning was arrested in Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen, in southern Germany.
A former aide of Hanning, identified only as Manfred D., was also arrested on Tuesday in connection with the investigation.
Suspected Target Not Revealed
Authorities have not disclosed which country or entity the two men are suspected of spying for.
The prosecutor’s office also did not immediately provide further details about the specific allegations or the information allegedly involved in the suspected espionage activity.
The arrests mark a significant development given Hanning’s former position at the BND, which is responsible for Germany’s foreign intelligence operations.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the espionage allegations against the two men have not been established in court.
