Crime Oct 6, 2026 Updated Oct 6, 2026
Former BND chief arrested over espionage and secret leaks
- Former head of Germany's Federal Intelligence Service (BND), August Haning, was arrested on suspicion of espionage and leaking state secrets to a foreign power.
- Haning's former assistant, Manfred D., was also arrested and accused of transferring around 2,000 classified BND documents to Haning in exchange for money.
- The investigation was initiated during a separate case involving the abduction of children from a Hamburg businesswoman, but it led to the discovery of Haning's alleged espionage activities.
AI-generated summary. Read the original reporting at the sources below.
Coverage · 9 sources
B92 Oct 6, 2026
Skandal nad skandalima; Veleizdaja u Nemačkoj?
- The former head of Germany's Federal Intelligence Service (BND), August Hening, was arrested on suspicion of leaking state secrets, committing fraud, and spying for a foreign power.
- A former high-ranking BND official, Manfred D, was also arrested in Bavaria, and the case involves allegations of selling classified information to a foreign entity.
- Hening, who later worked as a security consultant, had connections to Russia and China, and his financial troubles may be linked to the investigation.
Danas Oct 6, 2026
Bivši šef nemačke obaveštajne službe uhapšen zbog ‘špijunaže i izdaje’
- August Haning, former head of Germany's intelligence agency, was arrested on suspicion of espionage and leaking secrets to a foreign state.
- Manfred D., a former BND official, is accused of passing around 2,000 classified documents to Haning in exchange for money.
- The case emerged during an investigation into Kristine Block, heir to a chain of German restaurants, who was previously charged with orchestrating the kidnapping of her children.
N1 Oct 6, 2026
Nemačka uhapsila bivšeg šefa obaveštajne službe zbog sumnje na špijunažu
- The German Federal Prosecution stated that former intelligence agency head August Haning was arrested on Tuesday on charges of espionage.
- Haning's former colleague, identified only as Manfred D., was also arrested on Tuesday in connection with aiding and abetting espionage.
- The prosecution claims Haning received approximately 2,000 classified documents from Manfred D., who had access to confidential information while working in Haning's office.
