A senior US Army soldier has been arrested in the United Kingdom over suspected offences under the National Security Act relating to Russia.
The 41-year-old serviceman was arrested near Gloucester on Tuesday by officers from British counter-terrorism police.
Counter Terrorism Policing London said the arrest was made under Sections 1 and 3 of the National Security Act 2023.
Section 1 of the law covers obtaining or disclosing protected information, while Section 3 relates to assisting a foreign intelligence service.
Police said officers were also conducting searches at two locations in Gloucestershire as part of the ongoing investigation.
The BBC understands that the soldier was based at Imjin Barracks in Innsworth, Gloucestershire, which serves as the headquarters of NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps.
Reacting to the arrest, FBI Director Kash Patel said the case involved allegations of espionage and described it as a serious concern for the United States and its allies.
“This important arrest involves allegations of espionage, which is of the utmost concern to the United States and our allies,” Patel said.
He added that the FBI would not tolerate anyone who violated their oath to the United States or took actions capable of threatening national security and that of its partners.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans of Counter Terrorism Policing London described the arrest as significant, stressing that the allegations were serious and investigations were continuing.
The unnamed soldier is being held at a London police station.
Under the National Security Act 2023, police can detain a suspect for up to 14 days without charging them.
Meanwhile, Brigadier General Sean Stinchon, commanding general of the US Army Counterintelligence Command, said the allegations highlighted the threat posed by individuals with access to sensitive information.
“The alleged conduct of a senior soldier, entrusted with sensitive information, is a sobering reminder that insider threats are real and persistent,” he said.
Stinchon urged anyone who notices suspicious activities to report them to their local counterintelligence office.
The soldier has not been publicly identified, and the investigation remains ongoing.
