A senior U.S. Army soldier was arrested in England Tuesday on suspicion of espionage offenses related to Russia, according to U.K. police.
The 41-year-old man, whose identity was not released, was detained as part of an investigation into suspected national security threats led by Counter Terrorism Policing, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Officials said the arrest was carried out in coordination with the U.S. military and the FBI.
“This important arrest involves allegations of espionage, which is of the utmost concern to the United States and our allies,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement.
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The soldier was arrested near Gloucester, and police are currently searching two locations in the wider Gloucestershire area as part of the ongoing joint U.K.-U.S. investigation.
Police said the man was detained under the National Security Act 2023 and remains in custody at a London police station.
The investigation is ongoing and is being led by officers from the Counter Terrorism Policing team in London.
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Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, described the allegations as “serious.”
“We will work together to take robust action against those we suspect of any criminal activity that could undermine our national security,” Evans said in a statement.
“The alleged conduct of a senior soldier, entrusted with sensitive information, is a sobering reminder that insider threats are real and persistent,” Brig. Gen. Sean Stinchon, the commanding general of the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, added in a statement.
Patel said the arrest serves as a reminder that the FBI will not tolerate service members who break their oath to the United States or its partners.
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“While this investigation is continuing, I want to send a clear message â 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 in a statement.
He added that officials have made at least 167 counterintelligence and espionage arrests under the current FBI leadership over the past 21 months, marking 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 U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command for their outstanding work,” Patel said.
