Germany’s former spy chief arrested as report points to Azerbaijan link

By Siranush Adamyan

Germany’s former foreign intelligence chief August Hanning was arrested on October 6 on suspicion of espionage and attempted treason, with Der Spiegel reporting that investigators were examining possible links to Azerbaijan’s intelligence service.

Hanning, who led Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service, known as the BND, from 1998 to 2005, allegedly used classified information in his private consulting work after leaving government service, according to an AFP report published by RFI.

Federal prosecutors did not identify the countries involved. Der Spiegel, citing unnamed sources, reported that Hanning had been in contact with an Azerbaijani intelligence operative and had prepared a briefing for that person. Prosecutors said it remained unclear whether the material reached its intended recipient.

Hanning’s former chief of staff, identified as Manfred D., was also arrested. He continued working for Hanning’s successors at the BND until March 2026 and allegedly supplied his former boss with around 2,000 documents, many containing classified information, in exchange for payment.

Prosecutors also suspect Hanning of passing political information to a representative of another foreign intelligence service over several years. Some of that information allegedly came from material supplied by Manfred D.

German broadcaster ARD reported that the documents included information on Iran’s nuclear program and the Russian military. Citing security sources, ARD said some material originated from foreign partner intelligence agencies.

BND President Martin Jaeger said the agency had conducted extensive internal investigations before federal prosecutors took over. Konstantin von Notz, a Greens lawmaker on parliament’s intelligence oversight committee, called for an investigation into the potential damage.

The inquiry grew out of a September 2025 search of Hanning’s property in a separate investigation involving an alleged child abduction.

Hanning, 80, served as state secretary in Germany’s Interior Ministry from 2005 to 2009 before entering the private sector.