A U.S. authorities worker who labored in some capability for the CIA faces costs over a web-based leak of categorised paperwork about Israel’s potential plans for a retaliatory strike in opposition to Iran.
Federal prosecutors charged Asif Rahman, who held one of many highest ranges of safety clearance, with two counts of unlawful transmission of nationwide protection info after categorised authorities data associated to Israel’s potential plans for a strike surfaced on-line, in keeping with courtroom paperwork and two sources conversant in the matter. Two sources conversant in the case mentioned that Rahman labored for the CIA, however didn’t say whether or not he was a contractor or worker.
In response to courtroom data, Rahman allegedly illegally leaked the knowledge on Oct. 17 from places exterior the U.S., together with in Cambodia. The paperwork Rahman is accused of leaking will not be laid out in courtroom paperwork, however sources confirmed to CBS Information the leaked paperwork pertained to the potential assault plans. Information of Rahman’s arrest was first reported by The New York Occasions.
Nevertheless, it is nonetheless not clear that Rahman was the supply of the categorised paperwork or whether or not he could have acted alone.
He was indicted within the Jap District of Virginia final week and is ready to make an preliminary look in Guam federal courtroom for removing proceedings Thursday.
Federal investigators contained in the Pentagon and with the FBI launched an investigation final month after paperwork apparently belonging to the Nationwide Geospatial-Intelligence Company had been posted in a Telegram channel across the time that Israel was contemplating a retaliatory strike in opposition to Iran, sources advised CBS Information. The paperwork posted on-line gave the impression to be genuine, the sources mentioned.
The Justice Division declined to remark.
and
Eleanor Watson
contributed to this report.
