Germany Arrests Former Intelligence Chief on Spy Suspicions
Germany arrested former intelligence chief August Hanning on Tuesday. He is suspected of espionage and treason.
Germany's federal prosecutor's office announced the suspicion. He is suspected of passing state secrets to a foreign intelligence service.
News reports say he sold state secrets to a foreign power. Other reports say he obtained classified information for a foreign power.
A former aide named as Manfred D. was also arrested. Sources say he may have given Hanning classified documents.
Reporting links the probe to the Christina Block case. That case involves alleged leaks of government documents. Hanning led Germany's foreign intelligence service from 1998 to 2005.
Klear Note — Espionage means secretly gathering or sharing information for another country. An arrest on suspicion does not prove guilt in court.
Key Terms 2
- espionage Spying, such as secretly getting or passing on secret information.
- treason A serious crime of betraying your own country.