Former BND Chief Hanning Arrested – Suspected of Spying for Azerbaijan
The former BND president August Hanning is suspected of having produced analyses for the Azerbaijani intelligence service. Investigators arrested him.
Former BND President Hanning Arrested on Suspicion of Espionage
Investigators have arrested August Hanning, the former head of the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), Germany's foreign intelligence agency. According to spiegel.de, Hanning is suspected of having produced analyses for Azerbaijan's intelligence service and potentially disclosing secrets in the process.
The accusation is serious: Hanning headed the German foreign intelligence service for many years and possesses deep insider knowledge. According to media reports, including reports from BILD and WELT, he is said to have maintained contacts to Baku after his active service ended.
The chairman of the Parliamentary Control Committee (PKG), Henrichmann, called for immediate clarification following news of the arrest. British intelligence services were also reportedly concerned about the extent of possible information sharing.
Investigations are ongoing. Whether and to what extent intelligence-relevant information actually flowed to Azerbaijan is the subject of the ongoing investigation.
Source: Google News LU DE