The former head of German intelligence, August Hanning, is under investigation on suspicion of having ties with Chinese intelligence services.

Investigators are looking into whether Hanning passed confidential information to Chinese Major General Wang Jianzhen, a former military attaché in Germany. The two maintained contact for many years, including meetings in China and participation in joint projects.

Hanning and his former assistant were arrested on October 6. Prosecutors claim that the assistant handed over to Hanning around 2,000 internal documents from the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), many of which were classified — documents that he could have used for his private consulting business.

Hanning is also suspected of preparing an analytical report for an employee of an Azerbaijani intelligence agency.

DER SPIEGEL