Former CIA Officer Convicted of Leaking Information About Iran

Jeffrey Sterling, a former officer of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), who was on trial for leaking information regarding a covert program against Iran's nuclear activities to a New York Times reporter, was ultimately convicted on January 26. Some American media outlets consider Sterling's conviction a success for the federal prosecution and the government, with the Washington Post stating that this 'significant victory' comes after their hard efforts to curb leaks of information by individuals. This conviction occurs while the U.S. prosecution has opened similar cases against other former intelligence officers. Jeffrey Sterling, 47, will receive his final sentence in three months at the end of April and will remain free until then. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder stated that his conviction is 'fair and appropriate.' Sterling worked for the CIA for nine years in the 1990s and was reported arrested in December 2010. James Risen, the author, was speaking in defense of press freedom and freedom of expression last August when prosecutors sought to summon him to court. The Attorney General's office eventually stated he would not be required to testify in court. He was accused of revealing secrets related to a CIA program designed to provide deliberately flawed blueprints to Iranian officials. According to the allegations, these documents were provided to James Risen, a prominent reporter for the New York Times, who referenced them in his book 'State of War' and criticized the program, which he believed was easily identifiable. Initially, James Risen was also supposed to be summoned to court, but following efforts by journalist rights groups, the prosecution decided against this. Among those who testified in Sterling's trial was Condoleezza Rice, former U.S. Secretary of State.