PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA— Asif William Rahman, a CIA official with Top Secret clearance, was arrested by FBI agents in Cambodia Tuesday on charges that he disclosed classified information on Israel's potential strategic plans for retaliation against Iran. Rahman is facing indictment under the Espionage Act once he is transported to the nearest federal court, located in Guam.
According to The New York Times, the intelligence documents were dated from mid-October and originated from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, a lesser-known member of the U.S. Intel Community devoted to the analysis of imagery and data from the constellation of American spy satellites. The report reveals detailed satellite imagery laying out a potential strike from Israel against Iran down to varieties of missiles, and aircraft the Israeli Defense Force could employ.
The outlet reported that the classified information began circulating the internet via the Telegram application. Federal officials launched an investigation to determine the source of the leak. Though damaging, the officials told the Times that the documentation leaked was not exhaustive and merely represented what an analyst could review at a given moment.
The CIA refused to comment, however, the FBI conceded in October that it was taking part in the leak investigation stating the bureau was "working closely with our partners in the Department of Defense and intelligence community.”
Questioned about the leak by The New York Post, retired Israel Defense Forces Brigadier General Amir Avivi told reporters that the leak could have a future impact on US-Israeli relations, given that Jerusalem shares a great deal of intelligence with U.S. agencies.
According to The New York Times, the intelligence documents were dated from mid-October and originated from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, a lesser-known member of the U.S. Intel Community devoted to the analysis of imagery and data from the constellation of American spy satellites. The report reveals detailed satellite imagery laying out a potential strike from Israel against Iran down to varieties of missiles, and aircraft the Israeli Defense Force could employ.
The outlet reported that the classified information began circulating the internet via the Telegram application. Federal officials launched an investigation to determine the source of the leak. Though damaging, the officials told the Times that the documentation leaked was not exhaustive and merely represented what an analyst could review at a given moment.
The CIA refused to comment, however, the FBI conceded in October that it was taking part in the leak investigation stating the bureau was "working closely with our partners in the Department of Defense and intelligence community.”
Questioned about the leak by The New York Post, retired Israel Defense Forces Brigadier General Amir Avivi told reporters that the leak could have a future impact on US-Israeli relations, given that Jerusalem shares a great deal of intelligence with U.S. agencies.
“I think it’s crucial that Israel knows that when they give information or the transformation, it’s not leaked, and there must be strong trust [that intel is going] to be treated the way it should be treated,” he told the Post. “It’s a very serious event.”
Rahman will face indictment on two counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information in Guam and then transfer to the Eastern District of Virginia where he'll stand trial. For corrections or revisions, click here.
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