Overview
- Federal prosecutors arrested August Hanning Tuesday in Bad Tölz‑Wolfratshausen and detained his former aide, identified as Manfred D., in Steinfurt after searches at multiple locations including Berlin.
- Authorities allege the two agreed around spring 2010 that Manfred D. would supply Hanning with confidential BND material in exchange for payment and that roughly 2,000 documents changed hands over the years.
- Prosecutors say Hanning used classified intelligence on at least one occasion to draft an analysis for an officer of a foreign intelligence service and passed political information to foreign contacts, but they have not identified the service or confirmed any delivery.
- Both men face serious charges including treasonous espionage and attempted treason and are due before an investigating judge as the BND conducts internal investigations and parliament’s oversight committee has been notified.
- The case began after material emerged in an unrelated probe and could prompt allied intelligence reviews and tighter safeguards because some seized files reportedly included high‑level briefings and partner‑agency information.