British police arrested a 41-year-old member of the U.S. armed forces near Gloucester on suspicion of offenses under the National Security Act.
The investigation relates to Russia and involves cooperation between British authorities and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The arrest took place on Tuesday, according to British police.
The suspect is currently held at a London police station, according to an official statement. Authorities searched two locations in Gloucestershire as part of the inquiry.
The investigation focuses on suspected espionage, with reports indicating potential charges related to the collection or disclosure of protected information and assisting a foreign intelligence service, according to Sky News. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the arrest concerns allegations of espionage, which he described as “nanejvýš znepokojivé” (highly concerning) for the United States and its allies.
Patel added that the FBI does not tolerate anyone who violates their oath to the United States and whose actions threaten the security of the U.S. and its partners. He also expressed gratitude to the British counter-terrorism police, the MI5 security service, and other security agencies in both Britain and the U.S.
Brigadier General Sean Stinchon of the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command highlighted the gravity of the situation. He noted that the behavior of a high-ranking soldier entrusted with sensitive data serves as an “alarmující připomínkou” (alarming reminder) that internal threats remain a persistent reality.
The arrested soldier was previously stationed at Imjin Barracks in Gloucestershire, which serves as the headquarters for the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) of NATO, as reported by the BBC. The Sun reported that the United States removed its B-1 bombers from the nearby RAF Fairford base last month amid concerns regarding new potential threats to the site.
Vicki Evans, a national coordinator for British counter-terrorism policing, confirmed that the investigation is a result of close cooperation between British and American agencies. She stated that the allegations are serious and that the probe is continuing intensively.
The British police statement clarified that this case is not connected to any other current investigations being conducted by counter-terrorism units. No further details regarding the specific nature of the protected information or the timeline of the alleged activity have been released.
The individual was arrested under the UK’s National Security Act. The investigation specifically involves allegations of gathering or disclosing protected information and providing assistance to a foreign intelligence service.
According to the official statement from British authorities, this case is isolated. The search is not connected to other investigations being handled by counter-terrorism police units.
Earlier coverage: US Serviceman Arrested in UK on Suspicion of Russian Espionage
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