Der Spiegel reported that former BND chief August Hanning, detained this week on suspicion of espionage, had longstanding contacts with a former Chinese major general.
Der Spiegel reported that August Hanning, the former head of Germany's foreign intelligence service, had longstanding contacts with a former senior Chinese general, Reuters said on Friday. Hanning was detained this week on suspicion of sharing information from confidential documents with foreign intelligence agents.
Spiegel said Hanning, who left the BND in 2005, had travelled to China several times and knew a former official who had served in China's embassy in East Germany. Reuters, citing the magazine, identified that person as Wang Jianzheng, a former major general described as an expert on German affairs who had translated German books into Chinese.
Prosecutors have not said what material they believe may have been shared or with whom, Reuters reported. The alleged conduct was after Hanning's retirement, when he worked as an independent security consultant. The documents at issue were described as having been provided by his former chief of staff.
Hanning's lawyer did not immediately respond to comment requests, Reuters said, but told Spiegel the client had not damaged German interests and was being wrongfully prosecuted. That is a defence statement, not a court finding.
No charge sheet was published in these reports. The new public element on Friday is Spiegel's account of the China contacts, which prosecutors have not confirmed.
People Sentiments Negative
- Hanning's lawyer told Spiegel his client had not damaged German interests and was being wrongfully prosecuted.