Former German Intelligence Chief Arrested on Suspicion of Espionage: Did Iranian Nuclear Information Reach Russia and China?

August Hanning, the former head of Germany’s foreign intelligence service (BND), was arrested today (Tuesday) on suspicion of espionage, treason, and obtaining classified information for a foreign power. Hanning, who left his post in 2005, was arrested in the early morning hours at his home in Nordwalde, near the city of Münster in western Germany.

According to a report in "Bild," the investigation into him began as part of the case involving the attempted abduction of Christina Block’s children, which reportedly also involved former Mossad operatives. 

During the investigation, suspicions emerged that classified information had leaked from the German intelligence service. In a search conducted at Hanning’s home last year, investigators allegedly found a storage device containing secret material. Authorities are now investigating whether sensitive information was also passed to China and Russia, countries with which Hanning maintained direct ties. According to the report, he was found to possess, among other things, highly sensitive classified documents concerning Iran’s nuclear program and the Russian military.

German media had earlier reported investigators’ suspicions that Hanning received secret information from a former senior employee of the intelligence service and intended to sell it as part of the consulting work he pursued after retirement.

At the same time, another suspect was arrested in Bavaria, identified only as Manfred D. According to reports, during Hanning’s tenure as head of the BND, Manfred D. served as his chief of staff. Authorities suspect that for more than a decade, he passed hundreds of classified documents to Hanning in exchange for payments he received from him. He is suspected of aiding attempted treason and espionage against the state.

According to the prosecutor, searches were conducted as part of the investigation at properties connected to both suspects, as well as in Berlin.