Major espionage arrest puts German ex-spy chief’s Israeli connections in the spotlight

The arrest of former German intelligence chief August Hanning on suspicion of espionage on behalf of a foreign country  has drawn attention to his connections with Israeli intelligence figures, including allegations that he approached a former Shin Bet chief to organise the abduction of a German heiress’s children.

Hanning, who led Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service, the BND, from 1998 to 2005, also serves on the advisory board of United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), an American pressure group whose leadership includes former senior Mossad officials.

The 80-year-old was arrested on 6 October and ordered into pretrial detention the following day over allegations involving state secrets and foreign intelligence services. Prosecutors have not publicly identified the countries involved.

Commenting on his connections, journalist Max Blumenthal wrote: “Ex BND chief August Hanning has more Israeli ties than a Tel Aviv haberdashery.”

Ex BND chief August Hanning has more Israeli ties than a Tel Aviv haberdashery

Hanning introduced German heiress Christina Block to the Israeli private spying firm CGI Group

Block used the Israelis to abduct her own children from her ex and plant fake images of child abuse on his phone

Hanning, who served on the board of another Israeli spying firm, arranged the operation through former Shin Bet chief Yaakov Peri

— Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) October 6, 2026

Blumenthal highlighted allegations concerning Hanning’s relationship with Yaakov Peri, the former head of Israel’s domestic intelligence agency, Shin Bet, and the Israeli private intelligence firm CGI Group.

According to reporting by Ynet, German private investigator Werner Mauss alleged that Hanning approached Peri to assemble a team to work for Christina Block, the German restaurant heiress embroiled in a custody dispute with her former husband.

READ: Former Mossad chief joins Israeli spy firm Black Cube

Two of Block’s children were abducted from Denmark on New Year’s Eve 2023–24 and taken to Germany. Reports concerning the case alleged that Israeli operatives carried out the operation and that Peri had helped assemble the team.

Hanning denied contacting Peri or being involved in the operation. CGI also denied involvement. Its chief executive, Tzvika Neveh, said the company had no connection to the kidnapping, Block or the other parties involved, according to Ynet’s subsequent reporting.

Separately, German prosecutors have alleged that Hanning and a business associate attempted to discredit Block’s former husband by planting a hard drive containing child sexual abuse images and videos. A lawyer rejected those allegations as entirely unfounded, ARD reported.

The Block investigation helped trigger the espionage inquiry. During searches in September 2025, investigators reportedly discovered classified BND material in Hanning’s possession. His former aide, identified as Manfred D, is suspected of supplying approximately 2,000 documents, including sensitive information about Iran’s nuclear programme and Russia’s military.

Hanning’s publicly documented Israeli intelligence connections also run through UANI, which currently lists him as its senior European adviser.

Commenting on the Israel connection, Iran expert Trita Parsi said: “Noteworthy:

The disgraced former head of German Intelligence, August Hanning, who is accused of having been a spy for an unnamed foreign government, also serves on the Advisory Board of UANI (United Against Nuclear Iran), which many suspect is an Israeli intelligence front in Washington”.

Noteworthy:

The disgraced former head of German Intelligence, August Hanning, who is accused of having been a spy for an unnamed foreign government, also serves on the Advisory Board of UANI (United Against Nuclear Iran), which many suspect is an Israeli intelligence front in Washington.

https://t.co/USIQPiTYcW

— Trita Parsi (@tparsi) October 7, 2026

UANI’s advisory board includes Zohar Palti, a former Mossad intelligence director and senior Israeli defence ministry official. Former Mossad chief Tamir Pardo joined the organisation in 2016, while his predecessor, Meir Dagan, was a longstanding board member.

READ: German Jewish artist Biermann says Israel’s Gaza attacks are a war crime