From POLITICO · · 1m 20s
German spy chief arrested after challenging agency
August Hanning demanded answers from the BND after learning it had passed Russian spy allegations against him to investigators, three months before his arrest.
In brief
August Hanning demanded answers from the BND after learning it had passed Russian spy allegations against him to investigators, three months before his arrest. Former German intelligence chief August Hanning was arrested on suspicion of attempted treason after the BND passed allegations he spied for Russia to…
Former spy chief demands answers
August Hanning, who led Germany's BND from nineteen ninety-eight to two thousand five, sent a three-page letter on August seventeenth to current BND President Martin Jäger demanding answers to eleven questions.
BND passed spy allegations without consulting him
Hanning complained that the BND had passed allegations by a former intelligence agent that he was a Russian spy to investigators without consulting him. Jäger did not respond to the letter at the time.
Arrest raises concerns among allies
Hanning's arrest on suspicion of attempted treason has caused considerable concern abroad. Grzegorz Malecki, former head of Poland's foreign intelligence service, said the case was extremely concerning and could deepen allies' distrust of the BND.
“extremely concerning”
Questions raised over BND management
The BND also raised eyebrows over allegations it allowed Hanning's former chief of staff, also in custody, to work for Hanning outside official duties.
The short version
Former German intelligence chief August Hanning was arrested on suspicion of attempted treason after the BND passed allegations he spied for Russia to investigators without consulting him.
