The German federal prosecutor's office said on October 6 that 80-year-old Hanning is suspected of espionage, leaking state secrets, and conspiracy to commit treason.
Mr. Hanning led the BND from December 1998 to November 2005, and then served as State Secretary at the German Interior Ministry until 2009.
Another person arrested was Manfred D., Mr. Hanning's former Chief of Staff.
According to prosecutors, the two are suspected of having established an agreement in 2010 whereby Manfred D. regularly provided inside intelligence to Hanning in exchange for money.
From 2012 to March 2026, Manfred D. continued to serve as chief of staff for several successive BND directors and had access to classified documents.
Authorities allege that this individual transferred approximately 2,000 documents to Hanning, many of which were intended for internal circulation only and for use in high-level intelligence reporting.
Hanning is believed to have used this information in his private consulting work.
He is accused of using classified documents to prepare an analysis for an officer of a foreign intelligence agency. However, authorities have not yet determined whether the document reached its intended recipient.
The former BND leader is also suspected of maintaining contact for years with representatives of a foreign intelligence agency and transferring information, partly based on documents provided by Manfred D.
The prosecution has not yet disclosed the country or intelligence organization involved.
German authorities have searched numerous locations linked to the two suspects, including premises in Berlin.
Source: https://anninhthudo.vn/duc-bat-cuu-giam-doc-tinh-bao-trong-vu-ro-ri-2000-tai-lieu-mat-post671076.antd
