A 31-year-old man from Swindon has been charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service and intending to prepare an act of sabotage, following an investigation led by counter-terrorism policing London.
Key facts
- Joshua Cammidge, 31, was arrested at an address in Swindon on Friday 4 September.
- He is charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service and preparing an act of sabotage.
- The investigation was led by counter-terrorism policing (CTP) London, supported by Wiltshire police.
- Al Jazeera reports the charges relate to alleged contact with a member of the GRU Volunteer Corps.
A man from Swindon has been charged with offences related to national security as part of an ongoing investigation led by counter-terrorism policing (CTP) London, according to the Metropolitan police.
Joshua Cammidge, 31, was arrested at an address in Swindon on Friday 4 September by CTP London officers, supported by officers from Wiltshire police, the Guardian reported. Searches were also carried out at a different address in Swindon.
Cammidge was further arrested and detained the following day. He was then charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service and with intending to commit or engage in conduct to prepare an act of sabotage.
According to Al Jazeera, the charges follow alleged contact with a member of the GRU Volunteer Corps. The GRU is Russia’s military intelligence agency.
The case forms part of what the Metropolitan police described as an ongoing investigation. No further details about the alleged conduct have been released in the sources available.
Why it matters
The charges point to continued concern among UK authorities about alleged efforts by foreign intelligence services to operate on British soil. Cases involving sabotage and foreign intelligence assistance are treated as serious national security matters.
Frequently asked questions
Who has been charged?
Joshua Cammidge, 31, from Swindon, was arrested on 4 September and later charged.
What are the charges?
He is charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service and intending to commit or engage in conduct to prepare an act of sabotage.
Which agency is involved?
Al Jazeera reports the charges relate to alleged contact with a member of the GRU Volunteer Corps, linked to Russian military intelligence.