Thread by @bradheath

(@Reuters) - Three former U.S. intelligence operatives, who went to work as mercenary hackers for the United Arab Emirates, face federal charges by the U.S. Justice Department, according to a court docket created on Tuesday.

Background: American hackers used state-of-the-art cyber-espionage tools on behalf of a foreign intelligence service that spies on human rights activists, journalists and political rivals.

reuters.com/investigates/s…

Story from @Reuters: American hacker mercenaries face U.S. charges for work in UAE
reuters.com/world/us/ameri…

The three men are charged with conspiring to violate hacking and arms-export laws. But DOJ said in a court filing it promised to drop the charges if they accept responsibility, pay an unspecified financial penalty, accept employment restrictions and cooperate with authorities.

Here's the charging document: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.usco…

DOJ struck a deal with the former intelligence operatives. It will drop the charges if they pay a combined $1.6m and keep their noses clean for three years. They also have to stop working for the UAE, and give up their U.S. and UAE security clearances.

DOJ says in a release that this case shows "Hackers-for-hire and those who otherwise support such activities in violation of U.S. law should fully expect to be prosecuted for their criminal conduct."

Though in this case, DOJ expressly agreed not to pursue a criminal prosecution.

Here's the deferred prosecution agreement, which includes a detailed statement of facts.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.usco…