Germany’s former spymaster was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of selling state secrets to a foreign intelligence service.

August Hanning, who led the German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) between 1998 and 2005, is accused — along with a former aide — of sharing sensitive information in multiple cases, according to prosecutors.

It’s not clear which country Hanning was allegedly passing German secrets to, but the case does not involve Russia, according to information obtained by the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.

August Hanning attends The Democracy Gala honoring Bill Clinton as The Peacemaker of the Century at the Hotel Adlon in Berlin, Germany, on March 18, 2025. AEDT / SplashNews.com

Police officers are stationed at the entrance to the home of former president of the Federal Intelligence Service, or BND, August Hanning, in Nordwalde, Germany, Oct. 6, 2026. Christoph Reichwein/DPA via AP

He is alleged to have agreed with a former BND office manager to receive confidential intelligence information in exchange for payment dating back to 2010 — after he left office, according to prosecutors.

The 80-year-old ex-spook was arrested in the southern town of Bad Toelz-Wolfrathausen, while the office manager, identified as Manfred D., was charged with aiding and abetting attempted treason and treasonous espionage in Steinfurt, western Germany.

Prosecutors said Manfred allegedly supplied 2,000 documents over the years, including classified material intended solely for internal BND use.

Hanning allegedly used the information to prepare an analysis for an officer of a foreign intelligence service, sharing political information with a representative of the spy agency for years, according to prosecutors.

Who the two men were suspected of spying for was not revealed, and both men’s homes were searched on Tuesday.

Hanning was arrested on suspicion of selling state secrets to a foreign intelligence service. Michael Kappeler/DPA via AP

“Hanning is strongly suspected of treasonous espionage, obtaining state secrets, attempted treason and espionage,” the statement read.

BND President Martin Jaeger said his agency had launched extensive internal investigations as soon as suspicions emerged, adding that “there can be no compromises on internal security.”