A German judge ordered former foreign intelligence chief August Hanning held in pretrial detention after his arrest the previous day. Prosecutors allege that he obtained confidential material from a former aide and used it in consulting work for foreign intelligence. Hanning’s lawyer rejected allegations of harmful or paid disclosure. The judicial detention decision is the latest development in an unresolved criminal investigation.
A German judge ordered August Hanning, the former head of the country’s foreign intelligence service, held in pretrial detention on October 7. The 80-year-old had been arrested the previous day on suspicion of treason and espionage. His former office head, Manfred D., is also detained. The judicial order follows the initial arrests and searches in a case involving alleged misuse of confidential intelligence material.[1], [2]
Hanning’s lawyer said on Wednesday that his client possessed confidential documents, but rejected the allegation that he had passed information on to Germany’s detriment or in exchange for money. Manfred D.’s lawyer had not responded to questions. Prosecutors allege that Hanning obtained information from his former colleague for use in private consulting. The foreign intelligence services allegedly involved have not been officially identified, and the criminal accusations remain unresolved by a final judgment.[1]
Parliamentary intelligence oversight chair Marc Henrichmann said the extent of the alleged wrongdoing remained unknown and called for restoring trust in the Federal Intelligence Service, known as BND. Politicians and analysts sought stricter rules on retired security officials’ private use of their knowledge and contacts. Hanning had founded Hanning Consult with his wife Ruth after leaving public office. The inquiry arose from material found in a separate investigation concerning the alleged kidnapping of Christina Block’s children.[1]
