Germany: Former Intelligence Chief Arrested on Spying Allegations

August Hanning, who previously led Germany's foreign intelligence service, has been arrested on suspicion of treason and espionage.

Former head of Germany's Federal Intelligence Service, August Hanning, 80, has been arrested on spying allegations, Haaretz and the Canadian newspaper Winnipeg Free Press reported.

According to Haaretz, Hanning, who led the BND between 1998 and 2005 and subsequently worked as a private security consultant, is suspected of attempted treason and operating on behalf of a foreign intelligence service. In contrast, the Winnipeg Free Press described the detainee as a former domestic intelligence chief.

The identity of the foreign intelligence service for which he allegedly operated and further details regarding the circumstances of the arrest have not yet been released.