‘Respected scholar’: Indian-origin US expert Ashley Tellis denies espionage charges

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India, October 16, 2025 (Thursday)

‘Widely respected scholar’: Indian-origin US expert Ashley Tellis denies espionage charges; FBI found ‘secret documents’ at his home – The Times of IndiaEditionININUSEnglishEnglishहिन्दीमराठीಕನ್ನಡதமிழ்বাংলাമലയാളംతెలుగుગુજરાતીWeatherSign InTOIworldUSTimes EvokePakistanSouth AsiaUKEuropeChinaMiddle EastRest of WorldMad, Mad WorldPhotosVideosWeb StoriesToday's ePaperNewsResultsLife trailSocial PulsevideosPhotosExplainersIndians in USHumouroffbeatNewsWorld NewsUS News‘Widely respected

scholar’: Indian-origin US expert Ashley Tellis denies espionage charges; FBI found ‘secret documents’ at his homeTrendingJustin TrudeauCharlie KirkGaza Hostage ReleaseZohran MamdaniPakistan Afghanistan ConflictWho is Ashley TellisDonald TrumpJustin TrudeauCharlie KirkGaza Hostage ReleaseZohran MamdaniPakistan Afghanistan ConflictWho is Ashley TellisDonald TrumpJustin TrudeauCharlie KirkGaza

Hostage ReleaseZohran MamdaniPakistan Afghanistan ConflictWho is Ashley TellisDonald Trump‘Widely respected scholar’: Indian-origin US expert Ashley Tellis denies espionage charges; FBI found ‘secret documents’ at his homeTOI World Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Oct 16, 2025, 12:04 ISTShareAA+Text SizeSmallMediumLargeProminent Indian-origin scholar

Ashley Tellis, a former Bush administration official, has been arrested by the FBI on charges of retaining classified documents and meeting with Chinese officials. His lawyers vehemently deny the allegations, stating Tellis is a respected advisor and will contest any

claims of acting for a foreign adversary. Ashley Tellis (File photo) A prominent Indian-origin scholar, Ashley Tellis, who was arrested by the FBI in the United States over allegations of retaining classified documents and meeting with Chinese officials, is now

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denying the charges against him, his lawyers reported on Wednesday, as per AFP.Ashley Tellis, 64, who held senior positions under former president George W. Bush and continued as an unpaid advisor to the State Department, was arrested on Saturday and

faces up to 10 years in prison.High-Profile Policy Expert Ashley Tellis Arrested In Washington Over Possession of Secret Documents"Ashley J. Tellis is a widely respected scholar and senior policy advisor," his lawyers, Deborah Curtis and John Nassikas, reported in a

statement."We will be vigorously contesting the allegations brought against him, specifically any insinuation of his operating on behalf of a foreign adversary," they reported.A criminal affidavit made public Tuesday mentioned that Tellis entered the State Department late on September 25

and appeared to print from a secret document on US Air Force techniques.The affidavit also alleged that Tellis met repeatedly with Chinese officials at a restaurant in the Washington suburb of Fairfax, Virginia, and that at one dinner he appeared

to leave a manila envelope.The charges announced by the Justice Department relate to improper handling of documents rather than the meetings, with an FBI special agent saying a search of his home uncovered more than 1,000 pages of top-secret or

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secret documents.Tellis has been a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a leading Washington think tank, which reported Wednesday that he has been placed on administrative leave.A naturalized American originally from India, Tellis helped negotiate the Bush

administration's civil nuclear cooperation deal with India, a landmark step in strengthening relations between the world's two largest democracies.In recent years, however, Tellis has emerged as a leading contrarian in Washington on India, arguing that New Delhi's interests were not

aligned with the US on a range of issues, including Ukraine.About the AuthorTOI World DeskAt TOI World Desk, our dedicated team of seasoned journalists and passionate writers tirelessly sifts through the vast tapestry of global events to bring you the

latest news and diverse perspectives round the clock. With an unwavering commitment to accuracy, depth, and timeliness, we strive to keep you informed about the ever-evolving world, delivering a nuanced understanding of international affairs to our readers. Therefore, Join us

on a journey across continents as we unravel the stories that shape our interconnected world.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Stop CIA Coups, Or…’: Venezuela’s Maduro Blasts Trump, Appeals Americans To Say ‘No’ To WarsNATO Nation PM Joins Hands

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