28.2 C
Accra
Friday, March 14, 2025
Independent AfricaUnited States contractor convicted of being a spy for Ethiopia

Date:

United States contractor convicted of being a spy for Ethiopia

An Ethiopian-born contractor, Abraham Teklu Lemma, who had worked for the State and Justice departments in the United States, has been apprehended and charged with transmitting classified information to Ethiopia.

The Justice Department alleges that Abraham Teklu Lemma, aged 50, had been sharing classified information with an individual linked to Ethiopia’s intelligence service since August of the previous year.

While the department did not explicitly mention the African nation he was accused of spying for, it has been reported by various US media outlets, including the New York Times, as Ethiopia.

Lemma is facing three charges, including collecting or conveying defense information to support a foreign government, unauthorized possession of national defense information, and willfully retaining it.

A naturalized US citizen of Ethiopian descent residing in Silver Spring, Maryland, Lemma worked as an IT administrator for the Department of State and as a management analyst for the Department of Justice.

He had been granted top-secret security clearance and access to classified US systems.

If convicted of espionage, he could potentially face the death penalty.

[forminator_poll id="710479"]

Latest stories

Over 1,000 Northern School of Business SHS students affected after windstorm attack

A fierce windstorm on Wednesday night has affected over...

3 Ghanaians to be deported from US in March, April – Ablakwa

Three Ghanaians in the United States are set to...

100 deportation cases involving Ghanaians either under appeal or dismissed – Ablakwa

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has disclosed that...

Over 17,000 MoMo businesses collapsed due to E-levy – MoMo Agents Association

General Secretary of the Mobile Money Agents Association of...

50 Ghanaians set to be deported from US mid-2025 – Foreign Minister

Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has disclosed that...

150 Ghanaians in US detention centres awaiting deportation – Ablakwa

Update from Washington Mission indicates that there are currently...

Passport application fees reduced from GHS500 to GHS350 – Ablakwa

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced a...

Related stories

Gaza’s food crisis worsens as Israel shuts supply routes

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is deepening as soaring...

Four independent candidates, including Nguema, to contest Gabon’s presidency

Gabon’s interim president, Brice Oligui Nguema, will compete against...

President Embalo declares candidacy for second term

President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau has announced his...

US, Israel oppose UN-endorsed Arab intentions to rebuild Gaza

The Arab League has officially endorsed a plan, led...

Tunisia divided over trial of opposition leaders

A highly controversial trial involving 40 opposition figures including...

ECOWAS team departs Guinea-Bissau after President Umaro’s threats

A delegation from the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS,...

Displaced Sudanese return to Omdurman

Displaced Sudanese families are making their way back to...