A senior US Army soldier has been arrested in the United Kingdom on suspicion of spying for Russia, British counter-terrorism police said.
The 41-year-old serviceman was arrested near Gloucester on Tuesday under the National Security Act 2023. He is suspected of obtaining or disclosing protected information and of assisting a foreign intelligence service, under sections 1 and 3 of the Act.
Officers also carried out searches at two locations in Gloucestershire. The soldier remains in custody at a police station in London and, under the Act, can be held for up to 14 days without charge. Police have not named the soldier.
The BBC understands the soldier was based at Imjin Barracks in Innsworth, Gloucestershire, the headquarters of NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps.
Counter Terrorism Policing said the arrest was not linked to any other ongoing investigations. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans described it as a significant arrest, saying: “This was a significant arrest and the allegations are serious. Our investigation is very much ongoing, and we are grateful to everyone who has supported us so far.”
FBI Director Kash Patel said: “This important arrest involves allegations of espionage, which is of the utmost concern to the United States and our allies.” He added that the 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.”
Brigadier General Sean Stinchon, commanding general of the US Army Counterintelligence Command, said: “The alleged conduct of a senior soldier, entrusted with sensitive information, is a sobering reminder that insider threats are real and persistent.”
Source: BBC News
