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Former German BND chief August Hanning arrested on suspicion of spying for Russia
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August Hanning, former president of Germany's Federal Intelligence Service (BND), has been arrested on suspicion of espionage, according to WELT. Prosecutors accuse him of treason, spying on state secrets, and engaging in intelligence activities for a foreign power. A former close associate of Hanning was also arrested. According to a report by Bild, Hanning allegedly purchased classified information from a former BND staffer, intending to resell it during later consulting work. The information was reportedly meant for the 'Intelligence Situation' report in the German Chancellery. The Federal Prosecutor General is leading the investigation. Authorities reportedly came across the suspected information leak during investigations into the kidnapping of entrepreneur Christina Block's children. WELT reports that there had been suspicion for years that Hanning could be a source for Russian intelligence, a claim an ex-agent also made. Hanning had previously dismissed the allegations as nonsense.
Source report
August Hanning served as President of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) from 1998 to 2005. Source: Michael Kappeler/dpa
Investigators have accused former BND President August Hanning of spying on state secrets. According to WELT information, there had been suspicion for years that Hanning could have been a source for the Russian intelligence service.
The former president of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), August Hanning, has been arrested on suspicion of espionage, according to WELT information. In addition to Hanning, a former close associate of his was also taken into custody.
The former intelligence chief is being investigated on suspicion of high treason, espionage of state secrets, and engaging in intelligence agent activities for a foreign power. According to a report by the Bild newspaper, Hanning is alleged to have purchased classified information from a former employee of the BND's Executive Staff. The information was reportedly intended for the so-called "Intelligence Situation Report" at the Federal Chancellery. According to the newspaper, Hanning's goal was allegedly to resell the documents as part of later consulting work.
The Federal Public Prosecutor General is investigating both Hanning and the former BND employee. Authorities reportedly came across the trail of the alleged information leak during investigations into the kidnapping of the children of entrepreneur Christina Block.
According to WELT information, there had been suspicion for years that Hanning could have been a source for the Russian intelligence service. This was also claimed by a former agent. Hanning had consistently dismissed this as nonsense in statements to WELT.
More details to follow.
Source
Nachrichten - WELTWestern
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Ex-BND Chief August Hanning Arrested on Suspicion of Espionage and Treason