image copyrightGetty Images
A United States Army soldier was detained in British territory on suspicion of spying for Russia, UK counterterrorism police reported.
The high-ranking military officer, 41, was arrested this Tuesday near Gloucester, in the southwest of England.
London Counter-Terrorism Police said the man had been detained under sections 1 and 3 of the British National Security Act 2023.
Article 1 of the law refers to obtaining or disclosing protected information, while Article 3 refers to collaboration with a foreign intelligence service.
As part of the investigation, officers were carrying out searches at two locations in the county of Gloucestershire.
"Great concern"
image source, Google
According to information obtained by the BBC, the soldier was stationed at Imjin Barracks, in Innsworth, Gloucestershire.
The barracks serves as the headquarters of NATO's Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC), a strategic operational base for the alliance.
The Anti-Terrorist Police indicated that this case is not related to any other ongoing investigation.
End of Most read
All the news you need is on BBC World Service
Download it here
End of Ad app
FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement: "This important arrest is related to allegations of espionage, which is of utmost concern to the United States and our allies."
"As this investigation continues, I want to send a clear message: this FBI will not tolerate anyone who breaks their oath to the United States and whose actions endanger our national security and that of our partners."
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, of London's Counter Terrorism Unit, called the arrest "significant".
"The allegations are serious and our investigation is ongoing," he said.
The soldier, whose identity has not been revealed, is currently in custody at a London police station.
He has been detained under the National Security Law 2023, which allows police to hold him without charge for up to 14 days.
Brigadier General Sean Stinchon, Commanding General of the US Army Counterintelligence Command, stated: "The alleged conduct of a high-ranking soldier, who had been entrusted with sensitive information, is a sobering reminder that insider threats are real and persistent."
"I encourage anyone who believes they have witnessed something suspicious to report it to their local counterintelligence office," he added.
Additional reporting by Daniel Sandford, UK correspondent.
Discover more
Video
End of Video
