A United States military member has been apprehended in the United Kingdom under suspicion of engaging in espionage activities on behalf of Russia, as reported by British authorities. The individual, aged 41, was arrested on Tuesday in Gloucester, southwest England, following an investigation involving close collaboration between London's Metropolitan Police, the FBI, and the US military. According to a statement from the police, the arrest stemmed from allegations of violating two sections of the National Security Act 2023 – specifically, assisting a foreign intelligence service and obtaining or disclosing protected information.
The Metropolitan Police's "counterterrorism" unit led the investigation, with Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, the UK's senior national coordinator for "counterterrorism" policing, describing the arrest as "significant" and the ensuing probe as ongoing. FBI Director Kash Patel also commented on the matter, characterizing it as an "important arrest," dealing with allegations of espionage that are of "utmost concern" for the US and its allies.
The arrested individual currently remains in custody at a London police station, while officers continue their search at two locations in Gloucestershire. Notably, the arrest is not related to other "counterterrorism" investigations, such as the one linked to Iran at the British Royal Air Force base near Gloucester, RAF Fairford, which hosts the US Air Force. Following a threat in September, the US Air Force withdrew bombers used during Middle East conflicts from RAF Fairford.