UK Police Arrest 41-Year-Old US Soldier in Espionage Investigation

UK counter-terrorism police arrest US soldier over alleged Russia links, Digi Mart USA News (Gloucester, England): A US soldier with alleged links to Russia has been arrested by British counter-terrorism police. The man, 41, was arrested near Gloucester on Tuesday as part of an investigation conducted with US authorities, the US military and the FBI, according to London counter-terrorism police.

US Army counterintelligence command said the allegations relate to a “senior soldier.” The soldier was based at Imjin Barracks in Innsworth, Gloucestershire, which serves as the headquarters of NATO’s allied rapid reaction corps.

The man was arrested on suspicion of offences under section one and section three of the National Security Act, namely 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 carried out searches at two locations in Gloucestershire, the Metropolitan Police said.

FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement that the arrest “involves allegations of espionage, which is of the utmost concern to the United States and our allies.” He said the FBI has no tolerance for anyone who breaks their oath to the United States and endangers national security, and noted 167 counterintelligence and espionage arrests by the FBI over the last 21 months, a 53% increase.

He thanked UK Counter Terrorism Policing, MI5, UK Defence Counter Intelligence and the US Army Counterintelligence Command.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, senior national coordinator for counter-terrorism policing, said the allegations are serious and the investigation is ongoing. She said the activity demonstrates the strength of UK and US law enforcement and national security partnerships.

The investigation is not linked to any other ongoing counter-terrorism policing investigations.

Brig. Gen.

Sean Stinchon, 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 encouraged anyone who believes they have witnessed something suspicious to report it to their local counterintelligence office.