US Army soldier arrested in UK on suspicion of spying for Russia

A 41-year-old senior US Army soldier has been arrested in the United Kingdom on suspicion of spying for Russia, British counter-terrorism police said.

The serviceman was arrested near Gloucester on Tuesday under sections 1 and 3 of the UK's National Security Act 2023, which cover obtaining or disclosing protected information and assisting a foreign intelligence service.

Counter Terrorism Policing London said officers were conducting searches at two locations in Gloucestershire as part of the investigation.

The BBC reported that the soldier was based at Imjin Barracks in Innsworth, Gloucestershire, which serves as the headquarters of NATO's Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC), a strategic operational base for the alliance.

The police said the arrest was not linked to any other ongoing investigations.

FBI Director Kash Patel described the arrest as significant, saying the allegations of espionage were of the utmost concern to the United States and its allies.

He said the FBI had no tolerance for anyone who violated their oath to the United States and endangered national security or that of its partners.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans of Counter Terrorism Policing London also described the arrest as significant, saying the allegations were serious and the investigation was ongoing.

The unnamed soldier is being held at a London police station. Under the National Security Act 2023, police can detain a suspect for up to 14 days without charge.

Brig Gen Sean Stinchon, commanding general of the US Army Counterintelligence Command, said the alleged conduct of a senior soldier entrusted with sensitive information highlighted the persistent threat posed by insiders.

He urged anyone who witnessed suspicious activity to report it to their local counterintelligence office.

sks