Ex-CIA agent John Kiriakou charged over leaks

Page last updated at 12:46 GMT, Monday, January 23, 2012 - 17:46 EST

BBC:

John Kiriakou replied 'Heavens no' when asked if he had given a New York Times reporter an agent's name

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John Kiriakou is accused of disclosing the names of agents who interrogated a suspected al-Qaeda financier, who was allegedly waterboarded 83 times.

Prosecutors say the probe started after lawyers for suspected terrorists filed a legal brief including details not provided by the government.

Mr Kiriakou, 47, will appear in court in Alexandria, Virginia, on Monday.

He is suspected of leaking classified information to reporters, who in turn provided information to the defence teams of the suspected terrorists.

During a recent interview with the FBI, Mr Kiriakou denied releasing the identity of classified agents, according to a sworn affidavit.

In particular, Mr Kiriakou was asked whether he released to the New York Times in 2008 the name of an officer who helped interrogation of the suspected al-Qaeda financier, Abu Zubaydah.

Mr Kiriakou responded: "Heavens no," according to the affidavit.

Read the whole story: BBC