U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Ross prepares to leave from port. (File photo: militaryphotos.net)
American held for passing ‘nuclear details’ to Egypt
An undercover FBI agent posed as an Egyptian intelligence officer to snare Mostafa Ahmed Awwad
A U.S. Navy civilian engineer was arrested Friday on charges of trying to steal schematics of a new nuclear aircraft carrier and have them sent to Egypt, the Justice Department said.
An undercover FBI agent posed as an Egyptian intelligence officer to snare Mostafa Ahmed Awwad, 35, from the state of Virginia, who is charged with two counts of attempting to export defense articles and technical data.
He faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on each count if convicted.
Awwad told the undercover agent -- whom he believed was an Egyptian government official -- that it was his intention to utilize his position of trust with the U.S. Navy to obtain military technology for use by the Egyptian government, the Justice Department said.
That included the designs of the USS Gerald R. Ford nuclear aircraft carrier, which is under construction.
Awwad is scheduled to appear for a detention hearing on Wednesday.
Also Read
-
Egypt accuses Brotherhood figure of spying for U.S., Norway -
Egypt arrests suspect over threats to American schools -
U.S. slams Egypt's human rights record at U.N. meeting -
Egypt’s Sisi heads to U.S. for first time since election -
U.S. plans boost to Egypt’s counter-terror efforts -
Some states offer troops to fight ISIS: Kerry -
Egypt ‘reassured’ on U.S. Apache promise -
Egypt urges U.S. restraint over Missouri unrest -
U.S. offers Egypt late invite to Africa summit
Editor's Choice
-
Arab nations’ best moments of the 2026 World Cup group stage Sports 20 hours ago -
Pezeshkian post confirms accuracy of Al Arabiya English’s US-Iran deal scoop Middle East 18 June ,2026 -
US-led effort to boost Lebanon’s army emerges as key pillar of Hezbollah disarmament Middle East 04 June ,2026 -
US, Iran send mixed signals on potential deal after latest attacks Middle East 28 May ,2026