Jury Acquits Former CIA Recruit Accused of Sexually Assaulting Female Colleague Inside Agency’s Headquarters

The case prompted a flood of sexual assault and harassment complaints from other CIA workers and led the agency to implement a string of reforms.

A man crosses the CIA logo in the lobby of CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia, on August 14, 2008. AFP PHOTO/SAUL LOEB Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

A former CIA officer-trainee accused of sexually assaulting a female colleague in a stairwell inside the agency’s headquarters in 2022 was acquitted of the charges by a Virginia jury on Oct. 30.

Prosecutors alleged Ashkan Bayatpour, 40, came up behind his fellow trainee—who has since publicly identified herself as Rachel Cuda—in the stairwell of the Langley, Virginia, building and wrapped a scarf around her neck while trying to kiss her.