American officials said the visas were pulled under an immigration law barring entry to the United States for officials suspected of drug-related activities.

But such leaks are rare, and the government already has ample powers to investigate officials suspected of revealing especially sensitive information.

The secretary of the Security Council was granted permission to bring notice to the president of any high-ranking official suspected of corruption.

But in an interview, she held out little hope that officials suspected of electoral crimes would be charged.

Readers may recall a charge in this space two months ago of a double standard in the investigation of officials suspected of drug use.

He said those officials wrongly suspected that he was running a pyramid scheme.

Local officials and police officers suspected of being involved in the shootings were later acquitted or pardoned.

Courts have normally not prosecuted officials suspected of responsibility for personal injuries or damages due to sectarian-based violence.

Since he took office in December, he has purged the civilian government and military intelligence branches of hundreds of officials suspected of wrongdoing.

The agency is giving lie-detector tests to senior officials suspected of talking to the press.