Pierluigi Paganini
January 21, 2025
Asif William Rahman, a former CIA analyst with Top-Secret clearance since 2016, pleaded guilty to leaking classified information on social media in October 2024. Rahman has access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).
On October 17, 2024, Rahman stole and leaked Top-Secret documents on a U.S. ally’s plans, which appeared on social media by October 18 with classification markings. The CIA analyst photographed the classified documents and transmitted them to individuals he knew were not authorized to view them.
“After Oct. 17, 2024, Rahman deleted and edited journal entries and written work product on his personal electronic devices to conceal his personal opinions on U.S. policy and drafted entries to construct a false narrative regarding his activity.” reads the press release published by DoJ. “Rahman also destroyed multiple electronic devices, including a personal mobile device and an internet router he used to transmit classified information and photographs of classified documents, and discarded the destroyed devices in public trash receptacles in an effort to thwart potential investigations into him and his unlawful conduct.”
From spring to November 2024, Rahman stole, altered, and shared Top-Secret information with unauthorized individuals. The man was arrested on November 12, 2024, and remains in custody.
Rahman pleaded guilty to two counts of willful retention and transmission of classified information related to the national defense. The former CIA analyst will be sentenced on May 15, 2025, facing up to 10 years in prison for both counts in the plea agreement.
“Today’s plea demonstrates the FBI’s resolve to deploy the necessary tools and authorities to identify, locate, and bring to justice a government clearance holder who violated the oath he took to support and defend the U.S. Constitution,” said Assistant Director David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office. “This is a good reminder to all clearance holders that the FBI and our Intelligence Community partners will spare no resource to immediately find and hold accountable those who violate the law and disclose classified information without authorization, no matter where in the world they are located.”
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