Ex-CIA Analyst Pleads Guilty to Transmitting Top Secret Information

A former analyst working for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has pleaded guilty to transmitting top secret National Defense Information (NDI) to individuals who did not have the necessary authorization to receive it and attempted to cover up the activity.

Background of the Incident

Asif William Rahman, 34, of Vienna, was an employee of the CIA since 2016 and had a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI). He was charged with two counts of unlawfully transmitting NDI in November 2024 following his arrest.

Charges and Investigation

Rahman has pleaded guilty to two counts of willfully retaining and transmitting information under the control of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The investigation also uncovered that a white vehicle was procured and fitted with information and communications technology (ICT) equipment to facilitate an Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operation.

Surveillance and Discovery

The investigation revealed that the subject vehicle was monitored traversing to and fro the National Capital Region and the general divisions of Luzon, conducting detailed scouting, collating comprehensive images of the terrains and structures, and the overall topography of the potential targets, without consent and authority from the Philippine Government. An onsite search led to the discovery of a Chinese character user account with device ID 918 452 619 controlling the computer system inside the subject vehicle, such as the portable keyboard, files, and cameras.

Context of the Incident

The Philippines has been a target of several Chinese threat actors in recent years, primarily driven by geopolitical tensions in Southeast Asia over ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Conclusion

The incident highlights the importance of maintaining security clearances and adhering to protocols for handling sensitive information. The public can stay updated on the latest news and developments by following us on Twitter and LinkedIn.