Federal prosecutors are dropping espionage-law charges against two former lobbyists for a pro-Israel advocacy group, law enforcement sources tell the Washington Post.

According to Politico, the Justice Department filing blames unfavorable preliminary rulings in the case and the “nature, quantity, and quality of evidence” against the two men, Steve Rosen and Keith Weissman, who were charged with mishandling classified information, which they allegedly passed on to Israel. Their lawyers have argued that the information was not actually secret, and court rulings had bolstered their ability to make that argument.

“Of course we are relieved it is over. It was an unjust prosecution. But thank God we live in America where this kind of injustice can be corrected by the courts.” one of the defendants, Steven Rosen told the Washington Times.

The indictment indicates the FBI asked for and received a special warrant under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to monitor the AIPAC lobbyists. While they were charged under the 1917 Espionage Act, the counts against them specifically did not allege they were agents of a foreign power.

(Source: Politico / Washington Post / Washington Times)