British authorities arrested a 41-year-old U.S. Army soldier near Gloucester, England, on Tuesday, November 10, as part of an investigation into suspected espionage involving Russia. The suspect has not been publicly identified and remains in custody at a London police station while the investigation continues.

The Metropolitan Police said the soldier was arrested on suspicion of violating Sections 1 and 3 of the United Kingdom's National Security Act 2023. The provisions cover obtaining or disclosing protected information and assisting a foreign intelligence service. Police specifically identified Russia as the country connected to the allegations.

Counter Terrorism Policing officers are conducting searches at two locations in Gloucestershire, the county where Gloucester is located. British police said the investigation involved close cooperation with U.S. authorities, the FBI and the U.S. military.

FBI Director Kash Patel described the arrest as important and said the espionage allegations were of the utmost concern to the United States and its allies. He said the bureau would not tolerate anyone who violates their oath to the United States or endangers national security.

Brig. Gen. Sean Stinchon, commanding general of U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, described the suspect as a senior soldier entrusted with sensitive information. Stinchon said the case demonstrated the importance of cooperation between American and British counterintelligence agencies and highlighted the threat posed by individuals with access to sensitive material.

Police stressed that the arrest was not connected to any other ongoing counterterrorism investigations. That distinction separates the case from a suspected Iran-linked plot involving RAF Fairford, a British air base used by the U.S. military near Gloucester.

Following the separate security incident at RAF Fairford in September, the U.S. Air Force withdrew bombers that had been used in strikes against Iran. British authorities have not indicated that the soldier arrested Tuesday had any connection to that incident.

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not announced formal charges or released further details about the allegations.