AZE.US
Azerbaijan’s Media and Broadcasting Council has rejected reports suggesting a possible Azerbaijani link to the German investigation of former Federal Intelligence Service chief August Hanning, calling the coverage disinformation.
The council issued its statement on Oct. 7 after German and international media reported that investigators were examining Hanning’s alleged contact with a person described in news reports as connected to Azerbaijan.
Hanning, who led Germany’s BND foreign intelligence service from 1998 to 2005, was arrested on Oct. 6 on suspicion of treasonous espionage, obtaining state secrets, attempted treason and intelligence activity. A former BND official identified under German privacy rules as Manfred D. was also arrested.
Germany’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office said Hanning is suspected of obtaining confidential intelligence from Manfred D. in exchange for payment after leaving government service. Prosecutors allege that Hanning used classified information to prepare an analysis for an officer of a foreign intelligence service. They said it has not been determined whether the material reached its intended recipient.
Manfred D. is suspected of supplying about 2,000 documents over several years, including material intended for internal BND use and senior intelligence briefings at the German Chancellery, according to the prosecutors’ statement.
Foreign Service Not Identified by Prosecutors
German prosecutors did not identify the country or intelligence service for which the analysis was allegedly prepared. Der Spiegel reported that investigators were examining a possible connection to Azerbaijan, but the Federal Prosecutor’s Office declined to comment on that report, Reuters reported.
Azerbaijan’s Media and Broadcasting Council said the claims were unfounded and risked harming Azerbaijani-German relations. It urged international media organizations to rely on verified information and official sources.
The German investigation is continuing. Neither Hanning nor Manfred D. has been convicted, and the identity of any intended foreign recipient remains unconfirmed.
Source: Vesti Baku.
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