WASHINGTON: The US
National Security Agency and the FBI covertly scanned the emails of five
prominent Muslim-Americans under the government’s secret surveillance programme
aimed at foreign terrorists and other national security threats.
The
report in The Intercept, an online magazine, said the targets included an
attorney, a Republican political operative, a university professor and two
civil rights activists. The Intercept said all five denied any involvement in
terrorism or espionage and had not been accused of any crimes. The magazine
questioned whether the government obtained legal permission for its
surveillance.
National
Security Agency and Justice officials denied on Wednesday that American
activists are targeted for criticising the government. While not discussing the
individual cases, officials said Americans are only targeted for email
surveillance if there is probable cause.
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