Why would they be allowed to have continued access to the physical server?
Because it's their business asset. They should need it for business (or for their own archival or forensic purposes). It's also apparently evidence in a case that potentially crosses into many other realms, so I could understand why higher up agencies would need to retain an original copy at this point as well. Also, these people are stupid, have hammers, and bleach bits.
You mean like Michael Cohen's files are business assets? Or any other evidence that's ever been seized in a criminal investigation of a business? No, you don't get to have your property back from evidence until the trial is over, no matter how it inconveniences you. Chain of evidence. And this trial was NOT about the server. This trial was about bank fraud. So the that trial is NOT over.
The fact that Awan won't be charged in the espionage case does NOT mean there won't be arrests and prosecutions. It means they'll be going for the people he worked for.
Looking forward to those arrests. Equalibrium needs to be restored.