Arabic version: توجيه اتهامات لرجل من سويندون بموجب قانون الأمن القومي

According to BBC News, Joshua Cammidge, 31, has been charged under the National Security Act over alleged contact with Russia’s military intelligence agency.

Cammidge, from Swindon, is alleged to have received instructions from someone believed to be linked to the GRU Volunteer Corps, which the Crown Prosecution Service said is controlled by Russia’s military intelligence agency. He faces charges of assisting a foreign intelligence service and preparatory conduct.

Counter Terrorism Policing London officers, supported by Wiltshire Police, arrested him at an address in Swindon on Friday. He was taken to a London police station, while searches were carried out at a separate Swindon address, the Metropolitan Police said. He was further arrested and detained under the National Security Act on Saturday.

The Metropolitan Police said the charges concern Section 3 of the National Security Act 2023, covering assisting a foreign intelligence service, and Section 18, covering preparatory conduct. Cammidge is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Frank Ferguson, chief crown prosecutor for the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said there was sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that prosecution was in the public interest. He stressed that proceedings are active and that Cammidge has the right to a fair trial.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis thanked police for acting against what he described as a potential threat. He said incidents across Europe intended to sow fear, create disruption and undermine support for Ukraine “will not succeed.”