• Former German spy chief August Hanning arrested for espionage and treason.
• Hanning allegedly obtained classified information for foreign intelligence services.
• A former aide, Manfred D., also arrested for supplying sensitive documents.
• Prosecutors allege about 2,000 classified documents were exchanged for payment.
• Investigative links to a kidnapping case revealed Hanning's involvement.

Former head of the German Federal Intelligence Service (BND), August Hanning, was arrested on October 6 on charges of espionage, treason, and the acquisition of classified information for foreign powers, according to the federal prosecutor's office BBC and Le Monde. Hanning, who led the BND from 1998 to 2005, is accused of using classified intelligence to draft analyses for foreign intelligence officers.

Alongside Hanning, his former aide, Manfred D., was arrested on suspicion of supplying sensitive information in exchange for remuneration. Prosecutors allege that D. provided approximately 2,000 classified documents over several years, many of which were meant for internal use by the BND Reuters and India Times.

The investigation surfaces amid allegations that Hanning maintained close contact with representatives of foreign intelligence agencies, sharing political information based on materials provided by D. Prosecutors have not identified the foreign powers involved, although earlier reports suggested the case does not relate to Russia Le Monde and Reuters.

Notably, the investigation into Hanning is connected to a separate custody dispute case involving German heiress Christina Block, which indirectly led to the reveal of Hanning's alleged covert activities. Law enforcement has conducted searches in various locations, including Berlin, as part of the ongoing investigation BBC and India Times.