A former CIA analyst, Asif William Rahman, has entered a guilty plea to charges of retaining and transmitting Top Secret National Defense Information to unauthorized individuals. This shocking violation of national security was brought to light when classified information surfaced on social media platforms in October 2024.
Rahman, a 34-year-old resident of Vienna, Virginia, had been a CIA employee since 2016 and possessed a Top Secret security clearance that allowed access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI). Court documents reveal that Rahman’s illegal activities commenced in the spring of 2024 and persisted until his apprehension in November of the same year.
On October 17, 2024, Rahman printed two Top Secret documents containing critical details about a U.S. foreign ally and its strategies against a foreign adversary. Shockingly, within a day, these classified documents appeared on social media, complete with their classification markings.
The US Government report on the incident emphasized the severity of Rahman’s wrongdoing, with Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen stating, “Mr. Rahman betrayed the trust of the American people by unlawfully sharing classified national defense information.” The Justice Department is committed to prosecuting individuals who jeopardize national security.
U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia underscored that Rahman’s actions not only endangered lives but also compromised U.S. foreign relations and intelligence operations. Robert Wells, Executive Assistant Director of the FBI’s National Security Branch, reiterated the critical importance of protecting classified information, stressing that government employees must uphold their commitment to safeguarding national security.
In addition to leaking sensitive information, Rahman attempted to conceal his actions by altering and deleting journal entries on his electronic devices. He also disposed of various electronic devices used in transmitting classified data to avoid detection. Rahman was indicted by a grand jury on November 7, 2024, and apprehended by the FBI five days later. He is currently in custody awaiting sentencing.
Rahman has pleaded guilty to two counts of willful retention and transmission of classified information, which could result in a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. A sentencing date has been scheduled for May 15, 2025. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy A. Edwards Jr. and Trial Attorney Brett Reynolds from the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
The FBI Washington Field Office continues its investigation into the matter, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to addressing breaches of national security with the necessary seriousness and urgency.
The case highlights the importance of upholding national security protocols and the severe consequences of betraying public trust by unlawfully disclosing classified information. As the legal proceedings continue, the impact of Rahman’s actions on national security remains a matter of significant concern for the relevant authorities.