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US federal agents arrest National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, 21, over leaked intelligence documents revealing Ukraine war secrets

  • Investigators believe Teixeira, who specialises in intelligence, led online chat group where the highly classified files were posted
  • Ramifications could play out over years among allies as well as adversaries, as seen in past case with China implications, analysts say

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US National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, 21, of Swansea, Massachusetts, has been arrested in relation to the leak of classified US documents. Photo: Jack Teixeira’s mother via Facebook
Mark Magnierin New York
US federal agents arrested a Massachusetts Air National Guard employee on Thursday over the release of highly classified military documents on the Ukraine war that have embarrassed Washington, strained ties with allies and revealed how deeply American intelligence agencies are able to penetrate the secrets of overseas governments.

“Today the Justice Department arrested Jack Douglas Teixeira in connection with an investigation into alleged unauthorised removal, retention and transmission of classified national defence information,” US Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a press conference.

“FBI agents took Teixeira into custody earlier this afternoon without incident.”

Investigators believe that the guardsman, 21, who specialises in intelligence, led the online chat group where the documents were posted.

Analysts said ramifications of the leak could play out over years among allies as well as adversaries, as seen in a past case with China implications.

The Pentagon, the headquarters of the US Department of Defence, is seen from the air in Arlington County, Virginia, in March. Photo: TNS
The Pentagon, the headquarters of the US Department of Defence, is seen from the air in Arlington County, Virginia, in March. Photo: TNS

Footage showed FBI agents converging Thursday on Teixeira’s Massachusetts home, with heavily armed tactical agents taking a man, his head bowed and wearing a grey T-shirt and bright red shorts, into custody outside the property.

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