Indian-origin scholar Ashley Tellis arrested in US for retaining classified documents

Ashley Tellis, a foreign policy expert of Indian origin, has been arrested and charged in the United States for the alleged unlawful retention of classified defence information and documents and for suspected links with Chinese officials, the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia said.

US Attorney Lindsey Halligan stated that 64-year-old Tellis, a resident of Vienna, Virginia, was charged under 18 U.S.C. § 793(e) for "unlawful retention of national defence information."

The official statement noted that Tellis is accused if removing thousands of classified documents from a government facility, including materials related to the Air Force tactics and techniques.

"The charges as alleged in this case represent a grave risk to the safety and security of our citizens. The facts and the law in this case are clear, and we will continue following them to ensure that justice is served," Halligan said, as per News18.

Possible sentence and legal proceedings

If convicted, Tellis faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, a $100 special assessment, and possible forfeiture, according to the US Attorney's Office.

However, sentences for federal crimes are usually less than the maximum penalty, with the final decision to be determined by a federal district judge under the US Sentencing Guidelines, as per news agency AFP.

(This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates)