Big US intelligence leak was by gun enthusiast in his 20s: Media
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The Department of Justice opened a formal criminal probe last week after the matter was referred by the Pentagon.
PHOTO: REUTERS
WASHINGTON - The person who leaked US classified documents
The person shared classified information to a group of about two dozen men and young boys who shared a “mutual love of guns, military gear and God” on the instant messaging platform Discord, the Post said.
The Post based its report, which did not name the person, on interviews with two members of the chat group.
Reuters was unable to verify details of the report.
Discord said in a statement earlier on Wednesday that it was cooperating with law enforcement.
The Department of Defence and the Department of Justice (DOJ) did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
The DOJ opened a formal criminal probe last week after the matter was referred by the Pentagon, in what may be the most damaging release of classified United States information in years.
The person went by the handle OG, slang for Original Gangster, or an old school traditionalist.
One of the Post’s sources said the person was looked up to by members of the group.
“He’s fit. He’s strong. He’s armed. He’s trained. Just about everything you can expect out of some sort of crazy movie,” said the source, who is under the age of 18 and spoke on the condition of anonymity with the permission of his mother, the Post reported.
Pictures of the sensitive documents were posted on other platforms as well, including online messaging board 4chan, encrypted global messaging app Telegram and Twitter.
US national security agencies and the DOJ are investigating the release to assess the damage to national security and relations with allies and other countries, including Ukraine. REUTERS
