'Pakistan expert' US diplomat under federal investigation: report
Robin was the wife of former US ambassador Arnold Raphel who was killed aboard a plane carrying Ziaul Haq in 1988
WASHINGTON:
Ambassador Robin Raphel, a veteran American diplomat and long-time Pakistan expert, is under federal investigation as part of a counter-intelligence probe, The Washington Post reported Thursday evening.
Robin is the former wife of US ambassador Arnold Raphel who was killed aboard a plane carrying Ziaul Haq in 1988.
According to the newspaper, the FBI searched the Northwest Washington home of Robin last month, and her State Department office was also examined and sealed.
The report said the exact nature of the investigation involving Robin remains unclear. She has not been charged.
It is also unclear whether the inquiry is related to her work on Pakistan.
Robin has been a longtime South Asian expert and also worked as State Department adviser on civilian assistance for Pakistan.
She was placed on administrative leave last month and her contract with the State Department was allowed to expire this week, the Post reported.
A spokesperson for Robin said she was cooperating with investigators but has not been told the scope or nature or that she is the target of any probe.
"We are aware of this law enforcement matter," State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said. The State Department has been cooperating with our law enforcement colleagues, she added, according to the newspaper.
Ambassador Robin Raphel, a veteran American diplomat and long-time Pakistan expert, is under federal investigation as part of a counter-intelligence probe, The Washington Post reported Thursday evening.
Robin is the former wife of US ambassador Arnold Raphel who was killed aboard a plane carrying Ziaul Haq in 1988.
According to the newspaper, the FBI searched the Northwest Washington home of Robin last month, and her State Department office was also examined and sealed.
The report said the exact nature of the investigation involving Robin remains unclear. She has not been charged.
It is also unclear whether the inquiry is related to her work on Pakistan.
Robin has been a longtime South Asian expert and also worked as State Department adviser on civilian assistance for Pakistan.
She was placed on administrative leave last month and her contract with the State Department was allowed to expire this week, the Post reported.
A spokesperson for Robin said she was cooperating with investigators but has not been told the scope or nature or that she is the target of any probe.
"We are aware of this law enforcement matter," State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said. The State Department has been cooperating with our law enforcement colleagues, she added, according to the newspaper.