On Wednesday, Mariam Taha Thompson was sentenced to 23 years imprisonment for leaking highly sensitive information knowing it would be shared with Hezbollah, which the United States has designated as a foreign terrorist organization.
Thompson had worked as a U.S. military contract linguist overseas and had access to classified information.
When she pleaded guilty in March, she admitted to knowing the information she shared would be passed to Hezbollah.
From 2017 up until her arrest in February 2020, she had been in a romantic connection with whom she thought to be a rich Shia Lebanese national who had links to Hezbollah.
For instance, the man she was involved with once bragged about receiving a ring from Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah.
They spoke only over a messaging app but, despite never meeting him in person, Thompson said she had planned on marrying him. It was something they discussed.
When Iranian Quds Force General Qassem Soleimani was assassinated in January 2020, her “boyfriend” asked her for information on who had helped target the general.
Thompson, who is in her 60s, was worried that not cooperating with his request would cost her their relationship. It has now cost her her freedom.
Our team works tirelessly to ensure Lebanese people have a reliable alternative to the politically-backed media outlets with their heavily-funded and dangerous propaganda machines. We've been detained, faced nonstop cyber attacks, censorship, attempted kidnapping, physical intimidation, and frivolous lawsuits draining our resources. Financial support from our readers keeps us fighting on your behalf. If you are financially able, please consider supporting The961's work. Support The961. Make a contribution now.