Man Charged With Aiding Russian Spies in UK Sabotage Scheme

LONDON — A British national has been charged with aiding Russian military intelligence in a U.K. sabotage scheme, according to prosecutors on Wednesday.

Joshua Cammidge, 31, faces charges of engaging in conduct intended to materially assist a foreign intelligence service in violation of the National Security Act.

Cammidge was apprehended last week by counterterrorism officers, though authorities have not disclosed specific details regarding the alleged act of sabotage.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis stated that commenting on the specifics would be inappropriate, but confirmed that police acted against a potential threat.

“I know people are concerned about recent incidents across Europe intended to sow fear, create disruption, and undermine support for Ukraine. They will not succeed,” Jarvis said. “We will continue to take whatever action is necessary to defend against the range of threats we face from Russia.”

Cammidge was in contact with a suspected representative of the GRU Volunteer Corps, a group controlled by Russia’s military intelligence agency, prosecutors stated.

The U.K. designated the group as a national security threat in July for collecting foreign intelligence and conducting hostile covert operations on behalf of Russian military spies.

Support for the GRU was banned under a new law granting the government expanded powers to combat proxy organizations carrying out hostile activity for foreign states. Those convicted of assisting the group face up to 14 years in prison.

U.K. authorities have blamed the GRU for hostile activities, including the 2018 Salisbury nerve agent attack and broader sabotage and intelligence operations across Europe.

Cammidge is scheduled to appear Thursday at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London. He was not immediately available for comment.

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