US Army colonel arrested near Gloucester on suspicion of spying for Russia
A 41-year-old US Army officer has been arrested near Gloucester on suspicion of spying for Russia. He was based at Imjin Barracks, NATO's ARRC headquarters in Gloucestershire.
US Army officer held near Gloucester on suspicion of passing secrets to Russia
A 41-year-old US Army officer has been arrested near Gloucester on suspicion of spying for Russia, Counter Terrorism Policing London confirmed on Tuesday.
The Sun reports that the senior serviceman lived in a quiet cul-de-sac alongside other military families, with evidence tents erected outside his four-bedroom home following the arrest.
The BBC understands the soldier was stationed at Imjin Barracks in Innsworth, Gloucestershire — headquarters of NATO's Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC), a strategic operational base for the alliance.
Counter Terrorism Policing London said the arrest was made under section one and section three of the National Security Act 2023. Section one relates to obtaining or disclosing protected information; section three concerns assisting a foreign intelligence service. Officers are carrying out searches at two locations in Gloucestershire.
The unnamed officer remains in custody at a London police station. Under the National Security Act 2023, police can hold a suspect without charge for up to 14 days.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, from Counter Terrorism Policing London, described the arrest as "significant". "The allegations are serious and our investigation is very much ongoing," she said. Police stressed the case is not linked to any other ongoing investigations.
FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement: "This important arrest involves allegations of espionage, which is of the utmost concern to the United States and our allies." He added that the 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."
Brigadier General Sean Stinchon, commanding general of US Army Counterintelligence Command, said the alleged conduct of a senior soldier "entrusted with sensitive information is a sobering reminder that insider threats are real and persistent." He encouraged anyone who suspects suspicious behaviour to report it to their local counterintelligence office.
Source: The Sun