US soldier arrested in Britain in Russia-linked espionage case

British counterterrorism police have arrested a member of the US Army as part of a national security investigation linked to Russia. A 41-year-old man was detained near the city of Gloucester and is in custody on suspicion of offenses under Britain's national security law.

Investigators are searching two locations in Gloucestershire, in southwest England.

What London and Washington are saying

Vicki Evans, Britain's national coordinator for counterterrorism policing, said the arrest was the result of close cooperation between British and American authorities. In her words, the allegations are serious and the investigation continues at an intensive pace.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the case involves suspected espionage, a matter of the utmost gravity for the United States and its allies. He stressed that the FBI will not tolerate anyone who breaks their oath of allegiance to the United States and endangers the national security of the country or its partners.

The base in Gloucestershire

According to British media, last month the US withdrew all of its B-1 bombers from the British air base RAF Fairford, which is located in Gloucestershire, over fears of “new threats.”

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz