Russiaupdated 1h ago2 min read
Archive photo · 1 July 2019British Counterterror Police Arrest Senior U.S. Army Serviceman Near Gloucester Over Alleged Russian Espionage
7 Western Mainstream5 Other1 Latin American1 West AsianPhoto: Photo: Sgt Paul Shaw/MOD / UK Government and Number 10, OGL v1.0 · Cropped for layout
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41-year-old U.S. Army senior serviceman arrested near Gloucester on suspicion of espionage for Russia Arrested under sections 1 and 3 of the National Security Act 2023
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Arrest Near Gloucester
British counterterror police arrested a 41-year-old senior U.S. Army serviceman near Gloucester on Tuesday on suspicion of spying for Russia, and the suspect remained in custody at a London police station.
“The 41-year-old senior serviceman was arrested near Gloucester on Tuesday.”
Counter Terrorism Policing London said officers arrested the man under section one and section three of the National Security Act 2023, with section one covering obtaining or disclosing protected information and section three covering assisting a foreign intelligence service.
The Metropolitan Police said the investigation involved searches at two locations in Gloucestershire, and the BBC said the soldier was based at Imjin Barracks in Innsworth, Gloucestershire.
FBI Director Kash Patel said, "This important arrest involves allegations of espionage, which is of the utmost concern to the United States and our allies."
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans described the arrest as "significant" and said, "The allegations are serious and our investigation is very much ongoing."
Legal Basis and Cooperation
The Metropolitan Police said counterterrorism forces worked closely with the FBI and the United States Army, and the Metropolitan Police also said the country referenced by the accusations is Russia. The CNN account said the Metropolitan Police statement described the arrest as being made by British counterterror police "working closely with US authorities, US Military and the FBI," and it said officers were carrying out searches at two locations in Gloucestershire. Counter Terrorism Policing London carried out searches at two locations in Gloucestershire as part of the investigation, and the case was not linked to any other ongoing CTP investigations.
FBI Director Kash Patel told reporters, "While this investigation is continuing, I want to send a clear message – this FBI has no tolerance for anyone who breaks their oath to the United States and whose actions endanger our national security and that of our partners." Brig Gen Sean Stinchon said, "The alleged conduct of a senior soldier, entrusted with sensitive information, is a sobering reminder that insider threats are real and persistent."
Ongoing Investigation and Stakes
The unnamed soldier was currently in custody at a London police station and had been detained under the National Security Act 2023, allowing police to hold him without charge for up to 14 days.
Brig Gen Sean Stinchon encouraged people who had witnessed something suspicious to report it to their local counterintelligence office.
Britain’s counterterrorism police arrested the U.S. Army member on suspicion of spying for Russia after a joint investigation with the F.B.I. and U.S. military intelligence, and officials did not name the man or offer other details.
The Metropolitan Police statement said, "The country to which the allegations relate is Russia," and it said the Kremlin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans described the allegations as serious and said the investigation was very much ongoing, leaving the case at the stage of suspicion rather than a charge or finding of guilt.