Member of U.S. Army arrested in Britain over espionage allegations

LONDON, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- A member of the U.S. Army has been arrested on Tuesday as part of Britain's counter terrorism investigation involving U.S. authorities, the U.S. military and the FBI.

The 41-year-old man was arrested near Gloucester, southwestern England, on suspicion of offences under Britain's National Security Act 2023.

He is being held over allegations in relation to Section 1 of the Act -- obtaining or disclosing protected information, and Section 3 -- assisting a foreign intelligence service. The country to which the allegations relate is Russia, according to the Metropolitan Police.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the arrest involves allegations of espionage, which is of "the utmost concern to the United States and our allies," according to a police statement.

Vicki Evans, Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said the allegations are "serious," commending British and U.S. law enforcement and national security partnerships.

The soldier was stationed at Imjin Barracks on the outskirts of Gloucester, where lies NATO's Allied Rapid Reaction Corps headquarters, according to British media.

The man has been detained and currently remains in custody at a London police station amid an ongoing investigation, which is not linked to any other ongoing Counter Terrorism Policing investigations, said the Metropolitan Police.