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Former US contractor pleads guilty to passing classified intelligence to Ethiopia

Abraham Teklu Lemma pleaded guilty to conspiring to transmit national defence information; the FBI says Ethiopian officials used it in military operations.

Published Nov 4, 2026 · 13:51 UTC3 reports

The short version

  • Abraham Teklu Lemma, a former US contractor, pleaded guilty to conspiring to transmit national defence information to a foreign government.[BBC News · ABC News]
  • Prosecutors say Lemma supplied classified intelligence to senior Ethiopian officials from 2021 until his August 2023 arrest, and the FBI says Ethiopian officials used it in military operations.[BBC News · ABC News]
  • One report says he faces up to 22 years in prison, while the plea agreement provides for 10 to 21 years and 10 months, subject to court approval; sentencing is set for April 14, 2027.[BBC News · ABC News]
  • US statements did not name the armed groups Ethiopia targeted with the intelligence, leaving the specific targets unknown.[ABC News]

Key facts

  • Lemma pleaded guilty to conspiring to transmit national defence information to a foreign government.[BBC News · ABC News]
  • Prosecutors said Lemma worked as an information technology contractor at the State Department, Justice Department and National Reconnaissance Office.[BBC News · ABC News]
  • Prosecutors said Lemma supplied classified intelligence to senior Ethiopian officials between 2021 and his August 2023 arrest.[BBC News · ABC News]
  • The FBI said Ethiopian officials used the supplied intelligence in military operations.[BBC News · ABC News]
  • The plea agreement provides for a prison term of 10 to 21 years and 10 months, subject to court acceptance.[ABC News]

What remains uncertain

  • Reports differ on the sentence: one says up to 22 years, while the plea agreement provides for 10 to 21 years and 10 months, subject to court approval.[BBC News · ABC News]
  • The US statements did not name the armed groups Ethiopia targeted with the intelligence, so the specific targets remain unknown.[ABC News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.