Hanning's lawyer refutes charges of treason and espionage

Lawyer calls pursuit of former BND chief baseless

Leon Kruse, the lawyer for August Hanning, former head of the German Federal Intelligence Service (BND), publicly denied the charges against his client. According to the lawyer, "a baseless criminal prosecution is being conducted" against his client, the Bild publication reports.

Defence comment on confidential data

At the same time, Kruse acknowledged that Hanning had confidential documents in his possession.

"However, the claim that he passed on the information contained therein to the detriment of the Federal Republic of Germany – let alone that he did so for a reward – is baseless," the defence representative stated.

Details of the criminal case

It was previously reported that the German Federal Prosecutor General is investigating the case against former BND president August Hanning. He is charged with espionage, disclosure of state secrets, and treason.

In addition, charges of aiding and abetting an attempt at treason and aiding and abetting espionage to Germany's detriment have been brought against another long-serving employee of the intelligence agency, identified as Manfred D.