A senior U.S. Army soldier was arrested in England on Tuesday on suspicion of espionage-related offenses involving Russia, British police said.
The 41-year-old man, whose name has not been released, was detained during an investigation into suspected threats to national security led by Counter Terrorism Policing, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Authorities said the arrest was conducted 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-related offenses involving 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 continuing joint U.K.-U.S. investigation.
Police said he was detained under the National Security Act 2023 and remains in custody at a London police station.
The inquiry is being led by officers from London’s Counter Terrorism Policing team.
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Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, called the allegations “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 underscored that the FBI would 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 wider 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 endangers the national security of our country or its 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, an increase of 53%.
FILE — FBI Director Kash Patel warned that the agency has “no tolerance” for anyone who violates their oath and threatens U.S. or allied national security. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
“This case demonstrates that partnerships are essential to protecting our countries. 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.
