Ashley Tellis held in US for retaining classified files

ASHLEY J Tellis, a widely known Indian-American strategic affairs expert and key voice in US foreign policy circles, has been arrested in Virginia on charges of unlawfully retaining national defence information, American authorities said Tuesday.

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Tellis, 64, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a former adviser to the George W Bush administration, was taken into custody over the weekend in Vienna, Virginia, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

"The charges as alleged in this case represent a grave risk to the safety and security of our citizens," said U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, adding that the department remains committed to "protecting the American people from all threats, foreign and domestic." If convicted, Tellis could face up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and additional penalties, including asset forfeiture.