August Hanning, 80, the former head of Germany's Federal Intelligence Service from 1998 to 2005, has been arrested on suspicion of treason and espionage on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency. A judge of the Federal Court of Justice in Karlsruhe issued a formal arrest warrant on Wednesday, ordering Hanning to be held in pretrial detention.
The Office of the Federal Prosecutor alleges that Hanning bought secret documents to use in analyses for a foreign spy service and for his personal consultancy work. Manfred D, a former head of cabinet to Hanning, was also taken into custody on charges of aiding and abetting treason. Manfred D is accused of obtaining classified BND documents and passing them to Hanning in exchange for payment since 2010.
This case is regarded as one of the biggest security breaches in German history. Experts have warned that the arrest could undermine national security, as allies may reconsider their intelligence relationships with Germany. The situation has also led to calls for increased transparency regarding spies after they leave government service.