The arrest of an American works at counter-terrorism operative leaked classified information

US authorities arrested a counter-terrorism officer at the Defense Intelligence Agency on Wednesday for allegedly leaking top-secret information to journalists, officials said.

The officials confirmed the arrest of Henry Kyle Frese, 30 years old, from Alexandria, Virginia, on his arrival at work, noting that he faces two charges of disclosing classified defense information.

“Frese has been caught red-handed by disclosing sensitive security information of national security for personal gain”, Assistant Attorney General John Demiris told reporters.

The Ministry of Justice didn’t disclose the content of the information that Frese was suspected of leaking, saying only that it was related to the “system of weapons of a foreign state”.

The identities of the two journalists, who received information from Fries, weren’t identified.

Frese was reportedly involved in an affair with a journalist, according to an indictment filed with a jury in the eastern Virginia.

Frese was a contractor with the Defense Intelligence Agency from January 2017 to February 2018, and served as a staff member from February 2018 to October 2019 and had a permit to access top-secret information.

In April or May last year, Frese had seen an intelligence report “not related to his job duties on several occasions” and provided information to a journalist, according to the indictment.

After monitoring his mobile phone, he was arrested last month in the act of sending confidential information to a journalist, according to the list.

“Frese revealed very classified national defense information that puts our country and our people at risk”, said FBI agent Alan Kohler.

If convicted, Frese could face up to 10 years in prison for each time he leaks classified information.