A former CIA analyst, Asif William Rahman, aged 34, has admitted to illegally sharing highly classified U.S. government documents. Rahman, who lived in Vienna and had worked at the Central Intelligence Agency since 2016, held a Top-Secret security clearance. This clearance allowed him access to some of the nation’s most sensitive information, including Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).
According to court documents, Rahman violated his oath to protect national secrets when he shared two highly classified documents in October 2024. These documents revealed plans involving a U.S. foreign ally’s operations against a foreign adversary. Shockingly, the sensitive materials appeared on social media platforms the very next day, complete with their classification markings. This unauthorized disclosure posed serious risks, not just to U.S. national security but also to the lives of individuals working in intelligence operations worldwide.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen described Rahman’s actions as a “betrayal of trust,” emphasizing the danger he caused to U.S. foreign relations and national defense. FBI officials also underlined the severity of this case, highlighting their commitment to bringing those who harm the United States to justice.
How the Breach Unfolded
The incident began on October 17, 2024, when Rahman printed the two classified documents and secretly took them to his residence. Once there, he photographed the documents and shared them with individuals he knew were not authorized to receive such sensitive information. By the next day, October 18, 2024, these documents had been posted online for the world to see.
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But Rahman’s actions didn’t stop there. To cover up his crime, he took extensive steps to destroy evidence and mislead investigators. He edited and deleted journal entries on his personal devices, creating false stories about his activity. Rahman even went as far as destroying multiple electronic devices, such as his mobile phone and an internet router, which he had used to share the classified information. He then discarded the destroyed devices in public trash bins to avoid detection.
Court records also revealed that this wasn’t an isolated incident. Between the spring of 2024 and November 2024, Rahman repeatedly accessed and removed classified materials from his workplace. He even altered some of the documents in an attempt to hide the original source of the information. His betrayal of trust lasted for months before he was finally caught.
Swift Action by Authorities
Rahman’s activities raised alarms within the intelligence community. A grand jury indicted him on November 7, 2024, and he was arrested by FBI agents as he arrived at work just days later, on November 12, 2024. Since then, he has remained in custody while facing the consequences of his actions.
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On January 18, 2025, Rahman pleaded guilty to two serious charges: willful retention and transmission of classified national defense information. These charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison under the plea agreement. His sentencing is scheduled for May 15, 2025, when a federal judge will determine the punishment after reviewing U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Prosecutors, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy A. Edwards Jr. and Trial Attorney Brett Reynolds, worked closely with the FBI Washington Field Office to investigate the case and bring Rahman to justice. Officials involved in the case emphasized that the FBI and other intelligence agencies remain committed to tracking down and prosecuting anyone who violates the laws designed to protect U.S. national security.
The leak by Rahman was not just a violation of the law; it was a violation of trust and responsibility. It put lives at risk, jeopardized America’s relationships with its allies, and damaged the nation’s ability to gather critical intelligence in the future. The swift investigation and legal proceedings demonstrate the seriousness with which the U.S. government treats such breaches.
Rahman’s case serves as a reminder of the vital importance of safeguarding classified information. It also highlights the lengths to which federal authorities will go to protect national security and hold violators accountable.
