US Army officer arrested in England over spy charges

A 41-year-old U.S. Army member was taken into custody in England on Tuesday on suspicion of espionage linked to Russia. The arrest follows a joint operation between British counterterror police, the FBI, and the U.S. military.

The unnamed soldier was detained near Gloucester. Police said the individual violated two sections of the National Security Act 2023. The specific charges involve assisting a foreign intelligence service and obtaining or disclosing protected information.

FBI Director Kash Patel described the detention as an important arrest. He stated that the allegations are of utmost concern for the U.S. and its allies. Patel noted that the FBI has no tolerance for those who break their oath and endanger national security.

Officers conducted searches at two locations in Gloucestershire. This county is situated about 90 miles west of London. The suspect is currently held at a police station in the capital.

Authorities clarified that this case is separate from other counterterror investigations. It is not connected to a suspected terror plot linked to Iran that targeted a U.S.-run base in September. That incident occurred at RAF Fairford, which is also near Gloucester.

Following the September threat, the U.S. Air Force removed bombers from RAF Fairford. Those aircraft had been used to strike Iran during the Middle East conflict.