A senior U.S. Army soldier was arrested in England on Tuesday on suspicion of espionage offenses linked to Russia, British police said.
The 41-year-old man, whose name was not released, was detained during an investigation into suspected national security threats led by Counter Terrorism Policing, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Authorities said the arrest was made in coordination with the U.S. military and the FBI.
“This important arrest involves allegations of espionage, which is of the utmost concern to the United States and our allies,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement.
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FILE — The 41-year-old senior U.S. Army soldier remains in custody in London on suspicion of espionage offenses linked to Russia. (U.S. Army)
The soldier was arrested near Gloucester, where police are searching two locations in the broader Gloucestershire area as part of the ongoing joint U.K.-U.S. investigation.
Police said the man was detained under the National Security Act 2023 and remains in custody at a London police station.
Officers from London’s Counter Terrorism Policing team are leading the investigation, which remains ongoing.
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Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, described the allegations as “serious.”
“We will work together to take robust action against those we suspect of any criminal activity that could undermine our national security,” Evans said in a statement.
“The alleged conduct of a senior soldier, entrusted with sensitive information, is a sobering reminder that insider threats are real and persistent,” Brig. Gen. Sean Stinchon, commanding general of the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, said in a statement.
Patel said the arrest underscores that the FBI will not tolerate service members who violate their oath to the United States or its partners.
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FILE — Metropolitan Police said officers arrested the suspect near Gloucester and searched two locations in the broader Gloucestershire area. (iStock )
“As this investigation continues, I want to send a clear message: The FBI has no tolerance for anyone who violates their oath to the United States and whose actions endanger our national security or that of our partners,” Patel said.
He said officials had made at least 167 counterintelligence and espionage arrests under the current FBI leadership during the previous 21 months, representing a 53% increase.
FILE — FBI Director Kash Patel warned that the agency has “no tolerance” for anyone who violates their oath and endangers U.S. or allied national security. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
“This case demonstrates that partnerships are essential to protecting our countries, and I want to thank U.K. Counter Terrorism Policing, MI5, U.K. Defence Counter Intelligence and the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command for their outstanding work,” Patel said.