US soldier arrested near Gloucester over Russia spying allegations
British counter-terrorism police arrested a 41-year-old American soldier near Gloucester on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service and handling protected information. British authorities identified Russia as the country connected to the allegations. The investigation involves US military officials and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Police searched two locations in Gloucestershire, while the soldier remained in custody and investigators continued their work.
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Arrest near Gloucester
A 41-year-old US Army soldier was arrested on 10 November near Gloucester, a city in western England, in an investigation into alleged espionage for Russia. British counter-terrorism police carried out the arrest while working with American authorities. The Metropolitan Police, London’s police service, said the allegations related to Russia. The soldier’s name had not been released.[1], [2]
Police said the arrest concerned suspected offences under Britain’s 2023 National Security Act, under sections 1 and 3. The alleged conduct involved helping a foreign intelligence service and obtaining or disclosing protected information. The investigation was continuing, with the man held at a London police station. Officers also searched two locations in Gloucestershire, the English county where the arrest took place.[1], [2]
A posting at a NATO headquarters
The soldier had been stationed at Imjin Barracks in Gloucestershire, a British military base that houses the headquarters of NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps. ABC News attributed the posting information to a source with direct knowledge of the case. The corps coordinates NATO ground forces in crises and helps organise large military exercises for the alliance.[1]
A small group of American intelligence soldiers also works at the base, processing some alliance intelligence, according to the same account. Brigadier General Sean Stinchon, who commands US Army Counterintelligence Command, described the detainee as a senior soldier entrusted with sensitive information. His statement addressed the alleged conduct of a serving soldier and the danger posed by insider threats.[1]
British and American investigators work together
The inquiry involves British counter-terrorism police, the US military and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, America’s federal investigative agency. Its director, Kash Patel, said the case involved espionage allegations of serious concern to the United States and its allies. He thanked the British police and security services and the American military counterintelligence command for their cooperation. Patel also thanked MI5, Britain’s domestic security service, and UK Defence Counter Intelligence for their work.[1], [2]
Vicki Evans, Britain’s senior national coordinator for counter-terrorism policing, described the allegations as serious and stressed that the inquiry remained active. Police said the case was separate from their other ongoing counter-terrorism investigations. Stinchon also thanked the British authorities and the FBI for their work. The announcements concerned suspected offences; investigators had not publicly established the extent of any disclosure.[1], [2]
