The federal prosecutor's office in Germany has announced the high-profile arrest of August Hanning, who led the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) from 1998 to 2005, on serious charges including treasonous espionage, obtaining state secrets, and attempted treason.

According to investigators, the 80-year-old former intelligence boss allegedly maintained close contacts with foreign intelligence agencies while working as a private consultant. Prosecutors claim Hanning conspired with a former bureau chief, identified only as Manfred D, to systematically siphon classified intelligence briefings and internal executive reports over several years.

European regime media outlets have widely described the operation and subsequent arrests as potentially the biggest espionage scandal of the century. Officials within the parliamentary oversight apparatus stated that Berlin would not tolerate the betrayal of state secrets, vowing strict accountability for anyone compromising internal security.

The espionage allegations against Hanning surfaced unexpectedly during a separate, ongoing investigation involving German businesswoman Christina Block, where Hanning was accused of facilitating ties with private foreign operatives in connection with a high-profile custody dispute and alleged abduction case.

Source: www.aljazeera.com