US Army Soldier Arrested in UK on Suspicion of Russian Espionage
British counter-terrorism police arrested a 41-year-old US Army soldier suspected of spying for Russia. Details on the investigation in Gloucestershire.
POLICY WIRE — Gloucestershire, United Kingdom — — British counter-terrorism authorities have announced that a member of the US Army has been detained for alleged involvement in spying for Russia.
The 41-year-old soldier was taken into custody on Tuesday in the vicinity of Gloucester. According to Counter Terrorism Policing London, the individual is being held under sections one and three of the National Security Act 2023.
The legal framework used involves section one regarding the acquisition or sharing of protected information, while section three pertains to providing assistance to a foreign intelligence agency.
Law enforcement is currently conducting searches at two separate locations within Gloucestershire as part of their inquiry. Reports indicate the soldier was stationed at Imjin Barracks in Innsworth, which serves as the primary headquarters for NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC), a vital strategic base for the alliance.
Counter Terrorism Policing clarified that this specific case is not connected to any other active investigations.
FBI Director Kash Patel issued a statement regarding the arrest, noting that the allegations of espionage are a matter of extreme concern for both the United States and its international allies.
Patel emphasized that while the probe is ongoing, the FBI maintains zero tolerance for those who violate their oath or jeopardize the security of the U.S. and its partners.
Vicki Evans, a Deputy Assistant Commissioner with Counter Terrorism Policing London, characterized the arrest as significant. She noted that the allegations are grave and that the investigation is moving forward.
The unnamed soldier remains in custody at a police station in London. Under the National Security Act 2023, authorities are permitted to detain the suspect for a maximum of 14 days without filing formal charges.
Brig Gen Sean Stinchon, the commanding general of the US Army Counterintelligence Command, also commented on the alleged conduct of the individual.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)