August Hanning, who headed Germany's Bundesnachrichtendienst from 1998 to 2005, was taken into custody Tuesday in Berlin on allegations of espionage and attempted treason.
Prosecutors allege that Hanning colluded with former BND chief of staff Manfred D., who supplied him with roughly 2,000 classified files, including intel on the Iranian nuclear program and Russian military operations.
The duo is also accused of drafting an analysis for a foreign intelligence officer using classified German data, although it remains unclear whether the material reached its intended recipient.
Manfred D., who served as chief of staff for Hanning's successors from 2012 to 2026, faced charges of aiding and abetting treason for his role in the information exchange.
Searches of premises linked to both men in Berlin and other locations uncovered evidence supporting the allegations.
The case will now be presented before the Berlin federal court, where prosecutors will seek a conviction that could carry up to 15 years in prison.