US Army soldier arrested in UK on suspicion of spying for Russia

A 41-year-old US Army soldier has been arrested in the United Kingdom on suspicion of espionage related to Russia, London’s Metropolitan Police said, according to CNN.

British counter-terrorism police made the arrest near Gloucester on Tuesday, 10 November, working with US authorities, the US military and the FBI, the Metropolitan Police said. The soldier remains in custody at a London police station.

Police said he was arrested on suspicion of offences under Sections 1 and 3 of the National Security Act 2023. Section 1 concerns handling “protected information”, while Section 3 concerns “assisting a foreign intelligence service”.

Officers are conducting searches at two locations in Gloucestershire. Police said the country related to the allegations is Russia.

Brig. Gen. Sean Stinchon, commanding general of US Army Counterintelligence Command, said the “senior soldier” had been “entrusted with sensitive information”.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the arrest “involves allegations of espionage”.

“While this investigation is continuing, I want to send a clear message – this FBI has no tolerance for anyone who breaks their oath to the United States and whose actions endanger our national security and that of our partners,” Patel said.