# German ex-spy chief arrested on treason suspicion: What we know

https://mins.news/en/item/89608

- Al Jazeera, 2026-10-07 12:04 UTC
- World
- Original: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/7/german-ex-spy-chief-arrested-for-treason-what-we-know?traffic_source=rss

> August Hanning, who led Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service from 1998 to 2005, was arrested on suspicion of espionage and attempted treason. Prosecutors accuse him and former agency official Manfred D of passing classified material to foreign intelligence services. Reports of Hanning’s contact with an Azerbaijani intelligence representative have not been confirmed by prosecutors.

## Related coverage

- [Ex-German spy chief arrested: A history of spies working for enemy powers](https://mins.news/en/item/89871) — Al Jazeera, 2026-10-07
- [What is known about espionage and treason allegations against Germany’s ex-spy chief](https://mins.news/en/item/89782) — France 24, 2026-10-07
- [Former German intelligence chief August Hanning arrested over espionage and attempted treason suspicions](https://mins.news/en/item/89085) — euronews, 2026-10-07
- [German ex-spy chief arrested for suspected espionage and treason](https://mins.news/en/video/88581) — France 24 English, 2026-10-06