A senior US soldier was arrested near Gloucester on suspicion of aiding Russian intelligence. He remains in custody.
A senior member of the U.S. Army was arrested Tuesday in England on suspicion of espionage linked to Russia, British counterterrorism police said. The 41-year-old, who has not been named, was arrested near Gloucester on suspicion of offences under the National Security Act 2023. Police said the offences relate to obtaining or disclosing protected information and assisting a foreign intelligence service. He is in custody at a London police station.
Counter Terrorism Policing said the investigation was carried out with the FBI, the U.S. military, MI5 and the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command. Searches were under way at two locations in Gloucestershire, about 90 miles west of London. FBI Director Kash Patel called it an important arrest involving allegations of utmost concern. Brig. Gen. Sean Stinchon, commanding general of Army Counterintelligence Command, said the allegations show that insider threats are real and persistent.
Police said the arrest is not linked to other counterterrorism investigations. That appears to rule out a connection to a suspected Iran-linked terror plot in September at RAF Fairford, a U.S.-run base in Gloucestershire. Reuters reported the arrest followed the U.S. moving aircraft from British bases because of a separate apparent threat from Iran.
No charges have been announced. The man is presumed innocent, and the reports reviewed did not include any comment from Russia.
This report draws on ABC News, The Associated Press, Reuters, RTÉ and PBS NewsHour.