A US soldier with alleged links to Russia has been arrested by British counter-terrorism police.
The man, 41, was arrested as part of an investigation by counter-terrorism police, working closely with US authorities, the US military and the FBI, London counter-terrorism police said.
US army counterintelligence command said the allegations related to a “senior soldier”.
The soldier was based at Imjin barracks in Innsworth, Gloucestershire. The barracks serve as the headquarters of Nato’s allied rapid reaction corps.
The man was arrested near Gloucester on Tuesday on suspicion of offences under section one and section three of the National Security Act: assisting a foreign intelligence service and obtaining or disclosing protected information.
He remains in custody at a London police station.
As part of the investigation, officers were carrying out searches at two locations in Gloucestershire, the Metropolitan police said.
The FBI director, Kash Patel, said in a statement the arrest “involves allegations of espionage, which is of the utmost concern to the United States and our allies”.
He added: “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.
“This includes 167 counterintelligence and espionage arrests from this FBI over the last 21 months – a 53% increase.
“This matter shows that partnerships are essential to protect our countries and I want to express my thanks to UK Counter Terrorism Policing, MI5, UK Defence Counter Intelligence and the US Army Counterintelligence Command for their outstanding work.”
The investigation is not linked to any other ongoing counter-terrorism policing investigations.
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Deputy assistant commissioner Vicki Evans, senior national coordinator for counter-terrorism policing, said: “The allegations are serious and our investigation is very much ongoing.
“This activity demonstrates the strength of our UK and US law enforcement and national security partnerships, and I commend the work of all the teams involved.
“We will work together to take robust action against those we suspect of any criminal activity that could undermine our national security.”
Brig Gen Sean Stinchon, the commanding general of US army counterintelligence command, said the alleged conduct “of a senior soldier, entrusted with sensitive information, is a sobering reminder that insider threats are real and persistent”.
He added: “I encourage anyone who thinks they’ve witnessed something suspicious to report it to their local counterintelligence office.”
Source: www.theguardian.com
