A US judge has fiercely criticised President Donald Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn for lying to FBI agents.
US District Judge Emmet Sullivan delayed sentencing to ensure Flynn cooperates fully with an investigation into possible collusion between Trump's 2016 campaign and Russia.
During the sentencing hearing, the judge told the retired lieutenant general that he "arguably" had sold out his country.
Flynn pleaded guilty in December 2017 to lying to FBI agents about his conversations with Sergei Kislyak, Russia ambassador in Washington at the time.
Special Counsel Robert Mueller, leading the investigation, had asked the judge not to sentence Flynn to prison because Flynn already had provided "substantial" cooperation to prosecutors over the course of many interviews.
But Mr Sullivan told Flynn his behaviour was abhorrent, noting that Flynn had also lied to White House officials, who in turn lied to the public.
"Arguably, you sold your country out," Mr Sullivan said. "I'm not hiding my disgust, my disdain for this criminal offense."
The judge also noted that Flynn was operating as an undeclared lobbyist for Turkey even as he worked on Mr Trump's election team and prepared to be his national security adviser.
At one point, the judge asked prosecutors if Flynn could have been charged with treason, although he later said he had not been suggesting such a charge.
Mr Sullivan appeared ready to sentence Flynn to prison but then gave him the option of a delay in his sentencing so that he could fully cooperate with any pending investigations.
Flynn accepted that offer.
Prosecutors said Flynn had already provided most of the cooperation that he could, but it was possible he might be able to help investigators further.
Mr Sullivan did not set a new date for sentencing, but asked Mr Mueller's team and Flynn's attorney to give him a status report by 13 March.
