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By Joshua Rhett Miller
Senior Reporter
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A member of the U.S. Army was arrested Tuesday in the United Kingdom on suspicion of espionage on behalf of Russia, authorities said.
The 41-year-old servicemember, who was not publicly identified, was taken into custody near Gloucester as part of a probe by London's Metropolitan Police in cooperation with U.S. authorities, including the FBI and military officials. He is being held at a police station in London, police said in a statement.
"As part of the investigation officers are carrying out searches at two locations in Gloucestershire," Metropolitan Police said. "The country to which the allegations relate is Russia."
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Authorities arrested the American soldier on suspicion of offenses related to Section 1 and Section 3 of the National Security Act 2023. Additional details were not immediately provided.
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"This significant arrest and investigation is a result of close collaboration between UK and US authorities," Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said in a statement. "The allegations are serious and our investigation is very much ongoing. This activity demonstrates the strength of our UK and US law enforcement and national security partnerships, and I commend the work of all the teams involved. We will work together to take robust action against those we suspect of any criminal activity that could undermine our national security."
FBI Director Kash Patel said the arrest regarding allegations of espionage represents the "utmost concern" to the United States and its allies.
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"While this investigation is continuing, I want to send a clear message: 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. "This includes 167 counterintelligence and espionage arrests from this FBI over the last 21 months – a 53% increase."
Brigadier General Sean Stinchon, commanding general of U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, praised the international partnerships behind Tuesday's arrest.
"I am grateful to the UK and the FBI for their professionalism and teamwork throughout this investigation," Stichon 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. I encourage anyone who thinks they’ve witnessed something suspicious to report it to their local counterintelligence office."
Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Army on Tuesday afternoon for comment.
This is a breaking news story. Updates will follow.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Samantha Beech and Dave Siminoff.
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