US intelligence services warned BND over ex-chief Hanning spy case

US intelligence agencies sent a warning to Germany's Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND) within days of the arrest of former BND president August Hanning, signalling that cooperation with the service would be placed under review, according to reporting by WDR, NDR and Süddeutsche Zeitung.

The message, relayed from Washington according to government sources, stated that while the BND remained an important partner, existing cooperation would nonetheless be re-examined. US agencies indicated they would continue to share information in urgent cases — including potential terrorist attacks — but the broader signal caused significant alarm inside the BND.

Hanning, who also worked as a security consultant after leaving the service, was arrested roughly three weeks ago alongside his former chief of staff, identified as Manfred D. Federal prosecutors allege that Hanning used Manfred D., a long-serving BND officer, to obtain sensitive documents over approximately twelve years. In at least one case, Hanning is suspected of attempting to pass classified information to foreign entities.

The charges include attempted treason, espionage of state secrets and intelligence agent activity. Hanning's defence counsel has rejected the allegations; the lawyer representing Manfred D. declined to comment.

Henrichmann, chair of the parliamentary oversight committee, said the espionage allegations had "shaken the very foundations" of the BND. Senior BND officials were instructed to report immediately any changes in the flow of information from US counterparts.

German security officials now say cooperation with US agencies is proceeding normally. "The cooperation is in the normal state," security sources stated.