The head of Germany's national cybersecurity agency was fired amid reports of "possible ties to Russian intelligence," the Interior Ministry said.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser fired Arne Schonbohm as head of the BSI agency following allegations that undermined the necessary public trust in the neutrality and impartiality of its leadership, dpa reported.

Ten years ago, Schonbohm co-founded the cybersecurity group, which brings together experts from government agencies and the private sector. German media reported that one of its members is a company founded by a former Russian intelligence agent.

The German government said more than a week ago that it was fully investigating the reports.

Schonbohm, 53, had been head of BSI since February 2016. It was not yet known who would succeed him.

The ministry said the decision to replace him was also in the interests of the agency's 1,500 employees and their ability to work without speculation about the personnel issue.