US army officer arrested in UK on suspicion of spying for Russia

A US army officer assigned to a Nato unit in UK was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of espionage linked to Russia, British counterterrorism police and other officials said.The arrest comes amid growing concerns over threats to American forces stationed in Britain and heightened tensions between Moscow and much of Europe.The 41-year-old man, whose identity has not been disclosed, was arrested near Gloucester under two provisions of the National Security Act 2023 -- assisting a foreign intelligence service and obtaining or disclosing protected information.The suspect was serving with Nato's Allied Rapid Reaction Corps at Imjin Barracks near Gloucester, according to a US official, a senior Nato official and a British government official. The US official said the man was an officer. All three spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters.The Allied Rapid Reaction Corps is a multinational land unit within Nato designed to respond swiftly to crises and short-notice operations. According to its website, the formation comprises forces from 20 nations but is led by Britain and based in Gloucester, where the US soldier was arrested.US Brigadier General Sean Stinchon, commanding general of the army's Counterintelligence Command, described the suspect as a senior soldier in a news release but provided no further details about his identity.