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Former BND chief arrested for espionage as US may cut intelligence to Germany
Following the arrest of former Federal Intelligence Service (BND) chief August Hanning on suspicion of espionage, US intelligence services warned that intelligence flows to Germany could be cut. Berlin says there are no restrictions on cooperation.
The arrest of former Federal Intelligence Service (BND) chief August Hanning on suspicion of espionage has shaken intelligence cooperation between Germany and the United States. ARD's news program Tagesschau reported that US intelligence services warned that intelligence flows to Germany could be cut.
Süddeutsche Zeitung also reported that the US warning reached the BND several days after Hanning's arrest and that Washington was reviewing its past cooperation with the BND.
80-year-old former chief arrested
Hanning, 80, who headed the BND from 1998 to 2005 and later served as a state secretary at the Interior Ministry, was detained and arrested by the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) on October 6. The Federal Prosecutor's Office accuses Hanning of acting as an intelligence agent, treasonous espionage, obtaining state secrets and attempting high treason.
According to the investigation, Hanning's former bureau chief, Manfred D., handed him approximately 2,000 BND documents in exchange for money under an agreement reached in 2010. Hanning is suspected of using the information in his consulting activities. German media have suggested that the information may have reached China, while Hanning denies the allegations.
If the allegations are confirmed, the case will become Germany's most serious espionage scandal since World War II.
Berlin: Cooperation continues
German security sources said there are currently no restrictions on cooperation between the BND and US intelligence services. Some working meetings were postponed but have been rescheduled. The BND said it does not comment on matters concerning international cooperation.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who was in Atlanta for the G20 meeting, said he could not imagine intelligence cooperation being restricted and said, "We have a very successful and trust-based working relationship between our intelligence services."
Martin Jäger, the BND's current president, said a comprehensive investigation had been launched within the agency at an early stage.
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