The arrest followed a joint intelligence operation by the Scotland Yard counterterrorism unit – which deals with espionage arrests – and the British security services. Detectives were aware that the man may have been trying to leave the UK and were waiting for him at Gatwick Airport. The man in his 40s was arrested on Monday under the Secret Service Act, under a ban on espionage in the United Kingdom. He is still in custody and detectives have up to 96 hours to detain him, with court approval to extend his detention. They must then accuse the man or release him and withdraw the case or release him while he is still under investigation. Metropolitan Police said: “We can confirm that Met counterterrorism officers arrested a man in his 40s at Gatwick Airport on Monday, June 13, on suspicion of violating Section 1 of the Official Secrets Act of 1911. He was taken to a police station. part of London, where he is currently in custody. Investigations are ongoing. “ Tensions between Russia under Vladimir Putin and the United Kingdom have been high for years, but worsened after a nerve-wracking attack on British soil in 2018 targeting a critic of the Russian leader, and again after this year’s invasion of Ukraine. The British security services have intensified their counterintelligence work as they try to stop Russian espionage efforts in the UK and have publicly warned of the growing threat.
