01Conflict & SecurityEurope
Former German intelligence chief arrested on espionage suspicions
August Hanning faces allegations involving secret documents and work for a foreign intelligence service.
BBC, NPR and France 24 reported the arrest of a former German intelligence chief on suspicion of espionage and treason, with BBC and France 24 identifying August Hanning. France 24 said prosecutors accused him of paying for secret intelligence documents and using them to prepare an analysis for a foreign intelligence service. DW also reported the allegations.
What holds up
- ✓The arrest and broad grounds for suspicion are reported by several outlets.
- ✓NPR and France 24 explicitly attribute the allegations to federal prosecutors.
What doesn't yet
- ?The allegations have not been established by a conviction in the supplied reporting.
- ?The extracts do not identify the foreign service or provide Hanning's response.
Ask before you share
- →What evidence supports the prosecutors' allegations?
- →What does Hanning's defence say, and which foreign service is alleged to be involved?