Court in Boston sentences Jack Teixeira for spreading secrets of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine

Ap and Afp

La Jornada Newspaper
Wednesday, November 13, 2024, p. 25

Boston. The former soldier of the United States Air National Guard, Jack Teixeira, was sentenced yesterday to 15 years in prison for leaking classified documents, particularly on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, local press reported.

Teixeira, 22, pleaded guilty last March to six charges of violating the Espionage Act and acknowledged that he had leaked dozens of confidential government files, including some with mention of top secreton the Discord platform, which ended up spread across other social networks.

Before being sentenced, he apologized for his actions. I’m sorry for the damage I’ve causeddeclared Teixeira. I understand that all responsibility and consequences fall on my shoulders and I accept whatever that entails.he added, standing up as he addressed the judge.

It is about one of the most significant and consequential violations in the history of the United Statessince Edward Snowden’s 2013 revelations about massive electronic spying by the National Security Agency, which led the whistleblower to leave the United States and take refuge in Russia.

Most of the papers that Teixeira distributed were related to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Some contained sensitive information such as detailed troop movements and even the timing of arms supplies to kyiv, according to investigators.

The security breach raised alarm about Washington’s ability to protect its secrets, since the young man, who had enlisted in 2019 and had the third lowest rank in the hierarchy, had access to that crucial data.

The leaks put the Pentagon in an embarrassing situation, which tightened controls to safeguard classified information.