LONDON — A serving member of the U.S. Army was arrested Tuesday in England on suspicion of espionage linked to Russia, British counterterrorism police announced.
The 41-year-old suspect, whose identity has not been released, was detained near Gloucester on allegations of violating two provisions of the National Security Act 2023: assisting a foreign intelligence service and obtaining or disclosing protected information.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed its Counter Terrorism Command collaborated closely with the FBI and the U.S. military on the operation.
FBI Director Kash Patel described the detention as an “important arrest” addressing espionage allegations of “utmost concern” to the United States and its allies.
“This FBI has no tolerance for anyone who breaks their oath to the United States and whose actions endanger our national security and that of our partners,” Patel stated.
Officers are currently conducting searches at two locations in Gloucestershire, roughly 90 miles (140 kilometers) west of London. The suspect remains in custody at a London police station.
Authorities emphasized the arrest is unrelated to other ongoing counterterrorism investigations, specifically ruling out any connection to a suspected Iranian-linked plot from September targeting RAF Fairford, a U.S.-operated base near Gloucester.
Following that previous threat, the U.S. Air Force relocated bomber aircraft previously stationed at RAF Fairford, which had been used for strikes in the Middle East.
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