UK arrests US Army soldier on suspicion of spying
The 41-year-old was detained near Gloucester. Police say the allegations relate to Russia. No charges have been filed.
A 41-year-old member of the US Army was arrested Tuesday near Gloucester, in southwest England, on suspicion of national security offenses. The allegations relate to Russia, London's Metropolitan Police said.
He was detained on suspicion of breaching sections 1 and 3 of Britain's National Security Act 2023. Officers are searching two addresses in Gloucestershire, and the man remains in custody at a London police station. The investigation is being run with the US Army and the FBI.
No charges have been filed. His name, rank and unit have not been released.
"The allegations are serious and the investigation is very much ongoing," said Vicki Evans, assistant commissioner and senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing.
On the American side, FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau "has no tolerance for anyone who breaks their oath to the United States." Brig. Gen. Sean Stinchon, commander of the Army Counterintelligence Command, said "insider threats are real and persistent."
The case is unusual. Arrests under the law have more often involved British or Russian nationals than a serving soldier from an allied country on British soil. Police are already pursuing another case under the same act, at RAF Fairford, where two men were charged in September. The statement does not link the two.
An American soldier suspected of ties to Moscow strikes at trust among NATO intelligence services, just as Europe sets its stance on the war in Ukraine. For Mexico there is no direct effect.
