A former CIA analyst pleaded guilty to leaking classified documents about Israel

A former analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States (CIA) admitted yesterday (Friday) to leaking highly classified documents that revealed the IDF’s preparations for the retaliatory attack against Iran. Asif Rahman, about 34 years old, who used to work at the US Embassy in Cambodia and was arrested last November, has changed his position , and pleaded guilty to the charges after initially pleading his innocence.According to the indictment, Rahman leaked two classified documents that described aviation exercises and movements of ammunition trucks at the Israeli Air Force base. The documents, marked with a classification level of “top secret”, were published on the Telegram channel called “Middle East Spectator” on October 17, just as Iran was preparing for an Israeli response to the launch of approximately 200 ballistic missiles at Israel.

Federal investigators traced the source of the leak to Rahman’s workstation at the US Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Prosecutors alleged that Rahman, who had worked as a CIA analyst since 2016, was ideologically motivated and posed a threat to US national security. They added that he deleted more than 1.5 gigabytes of data, including many reports on the Middle East, in an attempt to cover his tracks.

 

As part of the plea deal, Rahman is expected to receive a sentence of 5 to 6.5 years in prison, even though the crimes he pleaded guilty to carry a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors have indicated that they may seek a lighter sentence if he continues to cooperate with US authorities. The sentence is expected to be handed down on May 15.

During the court hearing, it was revealed that Rahman, a graduate of Yale University who was born in Los Angeles, leaked five more documents classified as “Secret” or “Top Secret” in 2024, while working as a CIA analyst in Virginia. He took the documents home, duplicated them and sent them to unauthorized parties.