Alleged Espionage: Defense Intelligence Agency Employee Busted for Selling Top Secret Info
American intelligence operative sought disclosure of confidential data to Russian Federal Intelligence Service.
U.S. authorities have apprehended a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) employee, Nathan Vilas L., in Virginia for suspected espionage. As of now, there's no info on the target nation receiving the classified data. media reports suggest that L. reached out to Germany's Federal Intelligence Service (BND) in late March through an anonymous email[1].
A BND spokesperson confessed to German Press Agency (dpa): "The Federal Intelligence Service refrains from speaking publicly about matters concerning possible intelligence findings or activities. This doesn't imply any confirmation or denial of the matter."
On Monday, May 30, the FBI revealed L.'s access to "Top Secret" data and his offer of classified material to an unnamed foreign government. The alleged spy purportedly cited disagreement with the current U.S. administration's principles in an email[2]. In an undercover operation, L. is said to have exchanged messages with an FBI agent posing as a foreign government representative[3]. The first data exchange reportedly happened on May 1, with L. expressing desire for citizenship in the foreign country he was assisting[4]. He was nabbed by the FBI at the scheduled next handover. If found guilty of espionage, L. faces a lengthy prison sentence[5].
Sources:1. ntv.de2. cnn.com3. fbi.gov4. bustle.com5. washingtonpost.com
In light of the allegations, Nathan Vilas L., a Defense Intelligence Agency employee, conveyed in an email that he will not be able to adhere to his duties due to disagreements with the current U.S. administration's principles. Amidst general-news headlines of the espionage case, discussions on politics and crime-and-justice sectors have renewed interest, as L. is reported to have sold top-secret information and could face severe penalties if found guilty.
