US Army soldier, 41, arrested in Gloucester over alleged Russia-linked espionage

A serving US Army soldier has been arrested in England as part of a major investigation into alleged espionage linked to Russia. The arrest happened on Tuesday, 10 November, and police say the investigation is very much ongoing.

What happened?

The man is 41 and holds a senior rank in the US Army. He was arrested near Gloucester, about 90 miles west of London, by Counter Terrorism Policing, the specialist UK police network that handles national security cases.

The Metropolitan Police said he was held on suspicion of offences under Section 1 and Section 3 of the National Security Act 2023. Searches are being carried out at two locations in Gloucestershire.

He is now in custody at a police station in London. The Met added that the case is not linked to any other ongoing counter-terrorism investigations.

Who is involved?

British and American authorities worked on this together. Police named the US military and the FBI as partners, and the FBI also thanked MI5 (the UK's domestic security service) and UK Defence Counter Intelligence.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said: "The allegations are serious and our investigation is very much ongoing." She added that the case shows the strength of UK and US law enforcement and security partnerships.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the FBI has "no tolerance for anyone who breaks their oath to the United States". He also said the FBI has made 167 counterintelligence and espionage arrests in the last 21 months.

Brig. Gen. Sean Stinchon, who leads US Army Counterintelligence Command, called it a "sobering reminder that insider threats are real and persistent". He urged anyone who sees something suspicious to report it to their local counterintelligence office.

What's the legal background?

The National Security Act 2023 became law in July 2023. It created new offences, including espionage-related ones such as those under Sections 1 and 3, and assisting a foreign intelligence service.

What's next?

Police have not said what exactly the man is suspected of doing, and no charge has been announced. He remains in custody while officers question him and continue the searches in Gloucestershire.

Being arrested on suspicion of an offence is not the same as being charged, and it does not mean he has been found guilty of anything.