A man of British and Azerbaijani nationality, Rashad Sultanov, aged 44, has been apprehended on suspicions of conducting surveillance activities deemed hostile at the UK military installation RAF Akrotiri situated in Cyprus. Allegations suggest that Sultanov targeted the military base and subsequently shared gathered intelligence with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) of Iran. The arrest took place in Islington, north London, by Cypriot authorities on July 17, and Sultanov remains in custody as extradition processes are underway.
The arrest is a result of an inquiry managed by Counter Terrorism Policing London, focusing on reported incidents at RAF Akrotiri spanning from May 11 to June 22 of the current year. Charges have been approved by the Crown Prosecution Service under Sections 3 and 4 of the National Security Act, accusing Sultanov of conducting hostile surveillance at the military site and sharing sensitive data with a foreign intelligence service, the IRGC.
Commander Helen Flanagan, leading Counter Terrorism Policing London, emphasized the significance of utilizing the National Security Act beyond national borders in cases where British military establishments are potentially targeted by activities associated with hostile state entities. Collaborative efforts have been deployed between British and Cypriot law enforcement agencies, in conjunction with the Crown Prosecution Service, National Crime Agency, and Cypriot authorities, to advance the extradition procedures.
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