A CIA agent forced into medical retirement by a mysterious set of symptoms often dubbed “Havana Syndrome” is speaking out. According to the former agent, the CIA is actively suppressing the truth about the “anomalous health incidents,” or AHIs, that she and many other U.S. government employees around the world have experienced.
In an interview with journalist Catherine Herridge published on X, the agent says she is certain that she suffered an AHI and that the CIA is covering up the source.
“I want them to stop denying what is happening to us, and so there can be opportunities to collect the information that we need so that we can prevent this from happening to more people,” said the whistleblower, who spoke publicly under the pseudonym Alice.
Point phone camera here
Last year, the intelligence community released a report in which the agencies involved, including the CIA, said it was “very unlikely” the syndrome had a foreign cause.
However, the Republican-led House Intelligence Committee released a report earlier this month contradicting those findings. Instead, they say it “appears increasingly likely” that a foreign adversary caused the health incidents.
Affected agents and diplomats have reported symptoms including vertigo, dizziness, headaches and cognitive issues that disrupt everyday life.
In 2021, President Joe Biden signed the HAVANA Act into law, allowing for a one-time compensatory payment to Americans affected by AHIs.
“I was paid for my brain. I was paid for my ability to write well and to write for the president,” Alice said. “And I can’t do that the way I used to. And it’s really –– that’s one of the hardest parts.”
At least one whistleblower has filed a formal complaint. Progressive news outlet Salon reported in September that it had unearthed a whistleblower complaint filed last year. The whistleblower said the intelligence community was wrong and that classified documents proving so are being covered up.
“Alice” / Anonymous CIA whistleblower: “I believe the Russian GRU came to my house late at night and took me off the battlefield.”
LAUREN TAYLOR: A CIA agent forced into medical retirement by a mysterious set of symptoms often dubbed “Havana Syndrome” is speaking out.
In an interview with journalist Catherine Herridge published on X, the agent says she is certain that she suffered what’s officially known as an “anomalous health incident,” or AHI. And that the CIA is covering up the source.
“Alice” / Anonymous CIA whistleblower: “I want them to stop denying what is happening to us and so there can be opportunities to collect the information that we need so that we can prevent this from happening to more people.”
LAUREN TAYLOR: Last year, the intelligence community released a report where the agencies involved, including the CIA, said it was, quote, “very unlikely” the syndrome had a foreign cause.
But the Republican-led House Intelligence Committee released a report earlier this month doubting the intelligence community’s findings. Instead, they say it “appears increasingly likely” a foreign adversary caused the health incidents.
Affected agents and diplomats have reported symptoms including vertigo, dizziness, headaches and cognitive issues that disrupt everyday life.
And some say it has affected their life and livelihood, like the whistleblower who spoke to Catherine Herridge.
“Alice” / Anonymous CIA whistleblower: “I was paid for my brain. I was paid for my ability to write well and to write for the president. // And I can’t do that the way I used to. And it’s really–that’s one of the hardest parts.”
LAUREN TAYLOR: In 2021, President Joe Biden signed a law passed in Congress called the HAVANA Act, allowing for a one-time payment to provide compensation to Americans affected by AHIs.
At least one whistleblower has filed a formal complaint. Progressive news outlet Salon reported in September that they had unearthed a whistleblower complaint filed last year. The whistleblower said the intelligence community was wrong and that classified documents proving so are being covered up.
For Straight Arrow News, I’m Lauren Taylor.
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