Germany rocked by spy scandal

Germany is facing one of its most serious intelligence scandals since the end of the Cold War. Authorities arrested former intelligence chief August Hanning and his former aide on Tuesday. They are suspected of espionage and leaking state secrets.

Hanning led Germany's foreign intelligence agency from 1998 to 2005. Prosecutors said in a statement that, after Hanning left office, his former aide provided him with classified information. They said Hanning paid for the materials.

They also believe he obtained about 2,000 documents to use in his consulting business, including materials that were highly sensitive. He allegedly used the information to prepare reports for foreign intelligence agencies. It is still unclear which ones they might be. However, German media reports say that authorities are investigating his suspected contacts with an agent from Azerbaijan.