Photo credit: AFP via Getty Images
An American serviceman has been arrested in the UK, allegedly on suspicion of spying for Russia. The 41-year-old man was arrested near Gloucester on Tuesday, London police said.
“A US Army soldier was arrested in the UK. The arrest was made as part of an investigation led by the Counter Terrorism Policing unit in close cooperation with the US authorities, the US military and the FBI,” the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.
“He is suspected of committing offenses under Articles 1 and 3 of the National Security Act 2023. As part of the investigation, officers are carrying out searches at two addresses in Gloucestershire. The charges are related to Russia,” the police added.
British police senior counter-terrorism coordinator Vicki Evans said the investigation and arrest were the result of close cooperation between UK and US authorities.
“We are talking about serious charges; the investigation is ongoing. These actions demonstrate the strength of the partnership between law enforcement and national security agencies in the UK and US,” she said.
FBI Director Cash Patel noted that "the arrest is related to espionage charges."
“As this investigation continues, I want to make it clear: The FBI will not tolerate those who violate their oath to the United States and whose actions compromise the national security of us and our partners. Over the past 21 months, the FBI has made 167 arrests in cases related to counterintelligence and espionage, an increase of 53% over the previous period,” the statement said.
The London police added that the arrested person is currently in one of the London police stations. His name is not mentioned.
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