14-11-2024 (PHNOM PENH) Ex-CIA official Asif W. Rahman faces espionage charges for allegedly leaking classified documents detailing Israel’s potential military response to Iran’s October missile strikes, US authorities revealed yesterday.
Rahman was apprehended by FBI agents in Cambodia on Tuesday and is scheduled for a court appearance in Guam tomorrow. The former intelligence officer faces two counts under the Espionage Act for allegedly retaining and distributing classified national defence information, according to federal court documents filed in Virginia.
The sensitive documents, which appeared on the social media platform Telegram through an account named “Middle East Spectator” in mid-October, bore top-secret classifications restricted to members of the “Five Eyes” intelligence alliance – comprising the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Among the leaked materials were reports from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency detailing Israeli munitions movements and National Security Agency documents concerning Israeli air force training exercises with air-to-ground missiles. Notably, the documents contained unprecedented acknowledgement of Israel’s nuclear capabilities, though they indicated no intention of nuclear deployment against Iran.
The leak prompted immediate concern from the White House regarding unauthorised disclosure of classified information. The FBI confirmed its ongoing investigation last month, citing close collaboration with Defence Department and intelligence community partners.
Rahman, who served in overseas postings for the CIA, had authorised access to classified information as part of his regular duties. The CIA has not yet issued any statement regarding the arrest.
