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Former German spy chief arrested on espionage allegations

A former German intelligence chief has been arrested on allegations that he 'spied out state secrets', the country's federal prosecutor's office said. 

August Hanning, who was president of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) from December 1998 to November 2005, was detained ‌on suspicion of espionage, treason and obtaining classified information ​for a foreign power, ​Bild newspaper reported on Tuesday.

Prosecutors ​allege Hanning bought secret information from a former employee of ​the foreign intelligence agency ​BND, and intended to sell it ‌on ⁠as part of his consulting activities, according to the report.

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He was arrested in Bad Toelz-Wolfratshausen in southern Germany.

A former aide of his, identified only as Manfred D, was also arrested on Tuesday.

The prosecutor's office did not reveal who the men were alleged to have spied for.

The investigation ​was ⁠launched after the discovery of an alleged intelligence ​report leak intended ​for the chancellery, Bild said.

Sky News

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