A 41-year-old US Army member is being held at a London police station after British counter-terrorism officers arrested him on suspicion of spying for Russia.
The soldier was taken into custody Tuesday near Gloucester, Gloucestershire, as part of a joint investigation involving Counter Terrorism Policing, US authorities, the US military and the FBI. Police said the arrest was made on suspicion of offences under Section 1 and Section 3 of the National Security Act 2023.
Officers are conducting searches at two locations in Gloucestershire. The man remains in custody at a London police station, Counter Terrorism Policing London confirmed.
The National Security Act 2023, which came into force last year, overhauled Britain’s espionage and foreign interference laws. Section 1 covers obtaining or disclosing protected information that could benefit a foreign intelligence service, while Section 3 relates to obtaining or disclosing trade secrets for the benefit of a foreign power.
The arrest marks a rare case of a serving American military member being detained on British soil over alleged espionage ties to Moscow. British police explicitly stated that the country to which the allegations relate is Russia, raising the prospect of a significant breach in allied intelligence sharing.
The investigation’s multi-agency nature underscores the seriousness of the case. Counter Terrorism Policing London is leading the British side, while the FBI and US military are directly involved in the probe alongside broader US authorities.
Gloucester, where the arrest occurred, sits roughly 100 miles west of London and hosts limited direct military infrastructure, making the location notable. The two search locations in Gloucestershire suggest police are examining both personal and potentially professional connections tied to the suspect.
The case comes amid heightened Western concern about Russian intelligence operations targeting NATO allies. Britain has pursued multiple espionage prosecutions under its new security law since its enactment, including a separate case involving a Royal Navy serviceman accused of plotting to leak intelligence to Russia.
That serviceman, who was arrested a second time by counter-terrorism police before being charged with spying offences, appeared in court as British authorities continue to grapple with alleged foreign penetration of military ranks.
The US Army has not issued a public statement on the latest arrest. The suspect’s identity, rank and specific assignment remain undisclosed as the investigation proceeds.
British police did not indicate when the 41-year-old might be charged or released, though suspects under the National Security Act can be held for extended periods with judicial approval. The searches in Gloucestershire were ongoing.
The arrest follows a pattern of increased Anglo-American security cooperation on counter-intelligence matters, with both nations tightening legal frameworks against foreign espionage in recent years.