A 41-year-old senior member of the US Army arrested near Gloucester on suspicion of spying for Russia can be held in custody until 19 November, police have confirmed. Counter Terrorism Policing says its investigation is ongoing and searches are under way at two locations in Gloucestershire.
What Happened
The man was arrested on Tuesday 10 November under sections 1 and 3 of the National Security Act 2023. Section 1 covers obtaining or disclosing protected information, and section 3 covers assisting a foreign intelligence service. On Thursday 12 November a warrant of further detention was obtained, allowing him to be held until Tuesday 19 November.
The Metropolitan Police said the allegations relate to Russia and that the investigation is working closely with US authorities, the US military and the FBI. Counter Terrorism Policing has said the case is not linked to any other ongoing investigations.
Soldier Linked to Imjin Barracks
The soldier is reported to have been based at Imjin Barracks in Innsworth, on the outskirts of Gloucester. The barracks is the headquarters of NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, a strategic operational base for the alliance. Police have not named the man.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the arrest involved allegations of espionage that were of “the utmost concern” to the United States and its allies. He said the FBI has made 167 counterintelligence and espionage arrests over the past 21 months, a 53 per cent increase. The US Army Counterintelligence Command said the alleged conduct of a senior soldier entrusted with sensitive information was “a sobering reminder that insider threats are real and persistent”.
Background
The National Security Act 2023 replaced the Official Secrets Acts and sets out offences including assisting a foreign intelligence service. Counter Terrorism Policing leads these state-threat investigations in England and Wales.
Gloucestershire has also featured in other counter-terrorism cases this autumn. Arrests were made near RAF Fairford in late September, and two men have since been charged under the National Security Act in that investigation.
What Happens Next
The soldier is being held at a London police station under the warrant of further detention, which runs until 19 November. Police have not said whether he will be charged. Officers are continuing searches at the two Gloucestershire locations.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
