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Former CIA agent arrested after fears that China spy network was betrayed Former CIA agent arrested after fears that China spy network was betrayed
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Jerry Chun Shing Lee accused of having unauthorised notebook containing identities of undercover US informantsJerry Chun Shing Lee accused of having unauthorised notebook containing identities of undercover US informants
Matthew WeaverMatthew Weaver
Wed 17 Jan 2018 10.35 GMTWed 17 Jan 2018 10.35 GMT
First published on Wed 17 Jan 2018 01.29 GMTFirst published on Wed 17 Jan 2018 01.29 GMT
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A former CIA agent reportedly believed to be behind the unmasking of an espionage network in China, including more than 12 spies who were killed or imprisoned by the Chinese authorities, has been arrested in New York.A former CIA agent reportedly believed to be behind the unmasking of an espionage network in China, including more than 12 spies who were killed or imprisoned by the Chinese authorities, has been arrested in New York.
Hong Kong resident Jerry Chun Shing Lee was seized at JFK airport on Monday, six years after FBI agents discovered he was travelling with notebooks containing the identities of undercover US agents.Hong Kong resident Jerry Chun Shing Lee was seized at JFK airport on Monday, six years after FBI agents discovered he was travelling with notebooks containing the identities of undercover US agents.
Lee, a naturalised US citizen also known as Zhen Cheng Li, made an initial court appearance in a New York federal court on Tuesday on charges of unlawful retention of national defence information. He is due to appear at another court in Northern Virginia, where the CIA is located.Lee, a naturalised US citizen also known as Zhen Cheng Li, made an initial court appearance in a New York federal court on Tuesday on charges of unlawful retention of national defence information. He is due to appear at another court in Northern Virginia, where the CIA is located.
Lee is suspected of leaking the names of US agents to the Chinese authorities, in one of the deadliest intelligence setbacks for the CIA since the cold war. Between 2010 and 2012, the Chinese killed or imprisoned more than 12 dozen US sources in China, the New York Times reported last year.Lee is suspected of leaking the names of US agents to the Chinese authorities, in one of the deadliest intelligence setbacks for the CIA since the cold war. Between 2010 and 2012, the Chinese killed or imprisoned more than 12 dozen US sources in China, the New York Times reported last year.
It reported that FBI officers believed Lee was the main suspect in the breach, in the face of initial CIA resistance to the idea that it had a mole. The FBI refused to publicly confirm this. It is unclear why Lee was not arrested when his notebooks were first found by FBI agents during a search of his luggage during trips to Hawaii and Virginia in 2012. It reported that FBI officers believed Lee was the main suspect in the breach, in the face of initial CIA resistance to the idea that it had a mole. The FBI refused to publicly confirm this and Lee was not charged with crimes related to the breach or spying for a foreign government.
It is unclear why Lee was not arrested when his notebooks were first found by FBI agents during a search of his luggage during trips to Hawaii and Virginia in 2012.
The Department of Justice said Lee, 53, grew up in the US and served in the US Army before joining the CIA as a case officer in 1994.The Department of Justice said Lee, 53, grew up in the US and served in the US Army before joining the CIA as a case officer in 1994.
He served in unnamed overseas locations and left the agency in 2007. He was since reported to be have been employed in Hong Kong for an auction house. He served in unnamed overseas locations and left the agency in 2007. He was most recently reported to be have been employed in Hong Kong at an auction house.
In a complaint filed in a New York federal court, the justice department said that in 2012, “agents found two small books containing handwritten notes that contained classified information, including but not limited to, true names and phone numbers of assets and covert CIA employees, operational notes from asset meetings, operational meeting locations and locations of covert facilities.”In a complaint filed in a New York federal court, the justice department said that in 2012, “agents found two small books containing handwritten notes that contained classified information, including but not limited to, true names and phone numbers of assets and covert CIA employees, operational notes from asset meetings, operational meeting locations and locations of covert facilities.”
Officials did not say why it took so long to bring charges against Lee, or whether he had leaked any materials to foreign countries.Officials did not say why it took so long to bring charges against Lee, or whether he had leaked any materials to foreign countries.
The arrest comes amid concern in the US intelligence community that the Chinese government has been able disable CIA operations in China.The arrest comes amid concern in the US intelligence community that the Chinese government has been able disable CIA operations in China.
Former intelligence officials told the New York Times that the FBI managed persuade Lee to travel to the US under a false pretext, and interviewed several times in 2013.Former intelligence officials told the New York Times that the FBI managed persuade Lee to travel to the US under a false pretext, and interviewed several times in 2013.
A CIA spokesman declined to comment on the case on Tuesday, citing Lee’s ongoing prosecution.A CIA spokesman declined to comment on the case on Tuesday, citing Lee’s ongoing prosecution.
EspionageEspionage
ChinaChina
Asia PacificAsia Pacific
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