A 41-year-old U.S. Army soldier has been arrested in the United Kingdom as part of an investigation into suspected espionage involving Russia, British authorities announced Tuesday, according to officials.
The man was detained near Gloucester, England, on Tuesday on suspicion of offenses under Sections 1 and 3 of the UK’s National Security Act 2023, according to Metropolitan police. Authorities did not identify him or disclose the specific allegations against him. Officers are also conducting searches at 2 locations in Gloucestershire.
FBI Director Kash Patel described the case as involving serious espionage allegations, saying the arrest was a matter of major concern for the United States and its allies.
“This important arrest involves allegations of espionage, which is of the utmost concern to the United States and our allies,” Patel said.
He added that the FBI had made 167 counterintelligence and espionage arrests over the previous 21 months, representing a 53% increase.
Brig. Gen. Sean Stinchon, commanding general of the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, said the investigation demonstrated the importance of cooperation between allied security agencies. He described the allegations against the soldier as a reminder of the risks posed by insider threats.
“The alleged conduct of a senior soldier, entrusted with sensitive information, is a sobering reminder that insider threats are real and persistent,” Stinchon said.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, the UK’s senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, credited close cooperation between British and American authorities for the arrest.
The suspect remains in custody at a London police station under the National Security Act. The investigation is being led by Counter Terrorism Policing London, with assistance from the FBI, MI5, UK Defence Counter Intelligence and the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing and is not connected to any other active counterterrorism investigations. No charges or further details about the alleged espionage have been announced.