Indian-origin U.S. foreign policy expert arrested for espionage; over 1,000 classified defense documents recovered
Washington (Agencies) — U.S. authorities have arrested a 64-year-old Indian-origin foreign policy expert, Ashley Tellis, on charges of illegally possessing and transmitting classified defense information, allegedly to Chinese officials. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, more than 1,000 top-secret defense documents were recovered from Tellis’s residence in Virginia. The materials reportedly contained sensitive information…
Washington (Agencies) — U.S. authorities have arrested a 64-year-old Indian-origin foreign policy expert, Ashley Tellis, on charges of illegally possessing and transmitting classified defense information, allegedly to Chinese officials.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, more than 1,000 top-secret defense documents were recovered from Tellis’s residence in Virginia. The materials reportedly contained sensitive information about U.S. military aircraft capabilities and other defense operations.
Officials said Tellis had been collecting these classified materials over several years while working with various U.S. government agencies. At the time of his arrest, he was serving as an adviser at the U.S. Department of State.
“The unauthorized retention of classified defense information is a serious violation of federal law,” the Justice Department said in a statement. If convicted, Tellis faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The FBI confirmed that the suspect had held multiple meetings with Chinese officials in recent years. Surveillance footage also showed him printing classified documents at the Departments of State and Defense on several occasions in the past two months.
Investigators said Tellis was seen leaving a federal building carrying a bag, prompting agents to monitor him closely. The subsequent search of his home led to the discovery of the classified materials.
