A CIA official identified as Asif William Rahaman was arrested in Cambodia for allegedly leaking highly classified US intelligence documents about Israel’s retaliation plans against Iran. Asif W Rahaman was able to access the sensitive files as he held a top-secret security clearance, reports said. Following his arrest on Tuesday, the accused will be transported to a federal court in Guam, US media reports said.
It was the New York Times that broke the news of Asif W Rahaman's indictment. It happened last Thursday "for willfully retaining and transmitting national defense information," CNN reported quoting court documents. According to the news reports, in Guam, the Justice Department would seek permission to move him to Virginia to stand trial.
According to the indictment, which is dated November 7, investigators believe the leak took place in Cambodia. It charges Asif William Rahman with two counts of willfully transmitting classified information. These felony charges can carry significant prison sentences. However, it does not provide details about the nature of the leak, Reuters said in a report.
The said leak occurred on or about October 17 when a pro-Iranian Telegram account called "Middle East Spectator" published what appeared to be a pair of documents produced by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. NGIA is entrusted with the job of analyzing images and information collected by US spy satellites, reports said.
The documents narrated Israel's preparations for an attack on Iran. The information revealed by the documents was based on satellite imagery from Oct. 15-16. They included vital information like the type of missiles, planes and other aircraft the Israel Defence Force (IDF) could use against Tehran
The Middle East Spectator had earlier said that it received the documents through an anonymous source. It also maintained that it had no connection to the original leaker nor could it verify the authenticity of the documents.
Later the same month, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) confirmed it was investigating the leak to apprehend the source.
Multiple US media reports claimed that the FBI was unavailable to comment on the incident.
This is a developing story.