A U.S. Army service member was arrested in England on charges of spying for Russia, London's Metropolitan Police Service announced on Nov. 10.
The 41-year-old man was taken into custody near Gloucester in southwestern part of the country, the agency said ina news release, adding the man remained jailed in London.
The soldier, who officials have not publicly named, was arrested on suspicion of offenses under the National Security Act. That relates to obtaining or disclosing protected information and assisting a foreign intelligence service, in this case Russia.
“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.
"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," he added.
"The alleged conduct of a senior soldier, entrusted with sensitive information, is a sobering reminder that insider threats are real and persistent." Brigadier General Sean Stinchon, the commanding general of U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, said in a release.
Officials said the investigation remained ongoing as of Nov. 10, but it's not linked to other counterterrorism cases in the United Kingdom.
The U.S. Army Counter-Intelligence Command declined to comment when reached by USA TODAY. USA TODAY has also reached out to the FBI for additional information about the suspect.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.K Defence Counter Intelligence, and the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command for their outstanding work.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US soldier allegedly spied for Russia, arrested in England
