Journalism of Courage
Ashley J Tellis, a senior US adviser of Indian origin and a recognised expert on India and South Asian affairs, has been arrested in the United States on charges of unlawfully retaining classified “national defence information,” according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. The announcement came on October 14.
Tellis, 64, is a resident of Vienna, Virginia, and has held a long career in US national security.
He previously served on the National Security Council under former Republican President George W Bush and began working for the State Department in 2001 as an unpaid senior adviser. He also contracted with the Office of Net Assessment at the Department of Defense, recently renamed the Department of War.
He is considered as a subject-matter expert on India and South Asian affairs, reported Fox News.
In addition to his government roles, Tellis is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a Washington-based think tank. He is also the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs, according to The Associated Press (AP).
US Attorney Lindsey Halligan described the case as a serious breach of national security. “We are fully focused on protecting the American people from all threats, foreign and domestic. The charges as alleged in this case represent a grave risk to the safety and security of our citizens,” Halligan said, according to a press release.
If convicted, Tellis faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, a $100 special assessment, and possible forfeiture.
According to the FBI affidavit cited by Reuters and Fox News, Tellis held a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information. In September and October this year, he allegedly entered Defense and State Department buildings, accessed and printed classified materials, including documents on military aircraft capabilities, and left with a leather bag or briefcase.
Authorities said a search of his Vienna, Virginia, home uncovered more than a thousand pages of classified material marked “TOP SECRET” and “SECRET.” Fox News reports that on September 12, Tellis allegedly had a coworker print multiple classified documents for him, and on September 25, he reportedly printed US Air Force documents regarding military aircraft capabilities.
Court documents also allege that Tellis met Chinese government officials multiple times over recent years.
