OMM Newsroom
British police said on Nov. 10 that a senior US Army serviceman had been arrested on suspicion of assisting Russian intelligence. The arrest came a day after the United States withdrew aircraft from a base in Britain amid a possible threat from Iran, AnewZ reported.
The 41-year-old man was arrested near the city of Gloucester in western England. He is suspected under Sections 1 and 3 of the National Security Act of obtaining or disclosing protected information and assisting a foreign intelligence service. Police said the allegations are linked to Russia.
Police said the arrest is unrelated to another ongoing counterterrorism investigation.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the arrest concerned “espionage allegations of extremely serious concern to the United States and our allies.”
Brig. Gen. Sean Stinchon, commander of the US Army Counterintelligence Command, said the case showed that insider threats remain a persistent risk.
“The alleged conduct of a senior serviceman entrusted with sensitive information is a reminder that insider threats are real and persistent,” Stinchon said.
US aircraft withdrawn from bases in Britain
A day before the arrest, US refuelling aircraft left RAF Mildenhall in eastern England. It was the second time in three months that US forces had cleared a base in Britain. The Wall Street Journal reported that the move on Monday was linked to a threat from Iran.
British officials declined to comment on operational matters. A US Air Force spokesperson said aircraft move between bases for various reasons, including training and operational requirements.
In September, the United States withdrew bombers used in strikes against Iran from RAF Fairford, citing security concerns. British police linked that incident to Iran.
Tehran has denied any involvement in attacks or incidents in Britain.
