Former German spy chief arrested on espionage charges
Former German spy chief August Hanning suspected of spying for Azerbaijan – Der Spiegel
August Hanning, who headed Germany's BND foreign intelligence agency from 1998 to 2005, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of espionage and treason. Federal prosecutors accused him of working for foreign intelligence services, though they did not initially specify which countries. German news magazine Der Spiegel reported that Hanning had contacts with an Azerbaijani intelligence operative. Hanning's former chief of staff, identified as Manfred D., was also arrested on allegations that he obtained classified information from his successor roles and sold it to Hanning, who was working as a private consultant. Prosecutors said Hanning used the classified material in consulting work, including preparing briefings for foreign intelligence agents. In Germany, treason carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
