David Rush, Former CIA Officer and Republican Congressional Candidate, Detained in Panama on 'Intelligence' Charges
WHAT: David Rush, a former officer of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and a Republican candidate for the United States Congress, has been formally detained by authorities in Panama.
WHEN: The detention was confirmed by Panamanian security officials early this morning, local time.
WHERE: Mr. Rush was taken into custody at the Tocumen International Airport outside Panama City, Panama, as he was preparing to board a commercial flight.
WHO: The individual in question is David Rush, a veteran of the CIA. Panamanian law enforcement and immigration officials executed the order, reportedly under the authority of a Supreme Court judge.
WHY: Official statements indicate Mr. Rush is being held on preliminary charges related to revealing classified information and espionage activities, stemming from allegations of unauthorized disclosure of secrets during his tenure with the CIA. The Panamanian government has stated the charges relate to actions that allegedly compromised the security of both the United States and Panama, though specific details of the intelligence files remain sealed.
HOW: Authorities executed a pre-arranged detention order. Mr. Rush is currently being held in a Panamanian federal detention facility pending an extradition hearing requested by a foreign government, which officials have not yet named.