British authorities arrested a 41-year-old U.S. Army service member on suspicion of espionage offenses on behalf of Russia. His identity has not been released, and the allegations have not been proven. (Foto: Instagram)
British Counter Terrorism Policing said it arrested a U.S. Army service member on Tuesday, Nov. 10, in connection with suspected espionage offenses on behalf of Russia. The 41-year-old man’s identity has not been released, and the allegations have not been proven.
The Independent reported that the arrest took place near Gloucester, in southwest England, close to the border with Wales. The arrest followed an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing, conducted in close cooperation with U.S. authorities, the U.S. armed forces and the FBI, according to the report.
The man remains in police custody in England as the investigation continues. Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said the arrest and investigation resulted from close cooperation between British and U.S. authorities. “The allegations are serious, and our investigation is ongoing,” she said.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the espionage allegations were of “the utmost concern” to the United States and its allies. He added that the FBI would not tolerate anyone who breaks an oath to the United States and whose actions put U.S. national security or the security of its partners at risk. Patel said the FBI had made 167 arrests related to counterintelligence and espionage over the previous 21 months, an increase of 53%.
Brig. Gen. Sean Stinchon, commander of the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, said the alleged conduct of a senior officer entrusted with sensitive information was a troubling reminder that insider threats are real and persistent. He urged anyone who believes they have witnessed suspicious activity to report it to a local counterintelligence office.
