Ex-CIA officer convicted of leaking anti-Iran operation details January 27, 2015 - 11:18 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A former CIA officer has been convicted of leaking classified details of a US operation against Iran to a reporter, BBC News said. Jeffrey Sterling denied the leak but was found guilty in a Virginia court of all nine counts he faced. New York Times reporter James Risen was the recipient of what former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice testified was one of the most closely held secrets. But he was not called to give evidence because he said he would never reveal his sources, even if jailed. The US operation to thwart Iran's nuclear plans involved using a CIA agent nicknamed Merlin to pass on erroneous nuclear blueprints to Iran. Mr Risen's book State of War described this plan as botched and counter-productive because they could have armed Iran with nuclear expertise. Defence lawyers admitted the journalist and former agent had a relationship, laid bare in phone calls and emails, but they argued there was no evidence the two men discussed anything classified. Sterling will be sentenced in April. Related links:   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Armenian cemetery in Fresno hit by arsons six times since January  Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance.Iran vows to “decisively” defend sovereignty, national interests The Iranian embassy in Armenia has defended its “defensive and proportional action in in occupied Palestine.”Armenian shooter Elmira Karapetyan Armenian shooter Elmira Karapetyan won gold at the ISSF World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Rio de Janiero.Britain said to have entered talks to deport migrants to Armenia Britain is said to have entered talks to replicate the Rwanda migrant deportation scheme with Armenia. |
