Ashley Tellis Arrested Over Classified Documents
Ashley J. Tellis, a U.S. foreign policy expert of Indian origin, was arrested and charged for unlawfully retaining classified national defense information. He faces allegations related to more than 1,000 pages of documents found at his home in Virginia.
Allegations of meetings with Chinese officials
Court documents state Tellis held multiple dinners with Chinese government officials over recent years. At one meeting, he arrived with a manila envelope that was not seen when he departed. The filings do not explicitly accuse him of transmitting secret information during those interactions.
Background and credentials
Tellis, 64, has served on the U.S. National Security Council and as an adviser to the U.S. State and Defense Departments. He is also a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He held a top-secret security clearance.
Legal implications
Under U.S. law, unauthorized retention of defense documents can carry penalties of up to 10 years in prison and fines. Legal proceedings are underway, and Tellis’s attorneys have stated he will contest the charges.
Security and diplomatic impact
Given Tellis’s role in U.S.–India strategic relations and his standing in policy circles, the case raises questions about national security protocols and foreign influence.
