Man charged under National Security Act over Russian sabotage links
A 31-year-old British man, Joshua Cammidge, has been charged under the National Security Act 2023 with assisting a foreign intelligence service, after being arrested in Swindon last Friday by Counter Terrorism Policing London officers, supported by Wiltshire Police. He is accused of intending to prepare an act of sabotage after allegedly communicating with and receiving instructions from a person believed to be linked to the GRU Volunteer Corps, a group controlled by Russia's military intelligence agency.
Cammidge was arrested at an address in Swindon and taken to a London police station, while searches were carried out at a separate Swindon address. He was further arrested and detained under the National Security Act on Saturday on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service, and has now been charged with offences under section 3 (assisting a foreign intelligence service) and section 18 (preparatory conduct) of the Act. He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday.
In short
- Briton, 31, charged with assisting Russian intelligence under National Security Act
- Accused of preparing sabotage linked to Russia's GRU Volunteer Corps
- Due before Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday
Explained simply
The National Security Act 2023 gives UK authorities powers to investigate and prosecute certain activities carried out for foreign intelligence services. It includes offences covering assistance to such a service and conduct alleged to be preparation for sabotage.
The GRU is Russia’s military intelligence agency, and the GRU Volunteer Corps is described as a group under its control. The case concerns allegations that Cammidge communicated with someone linked to that group and received instructions; the charges are accusations, and the court process will consider the evidence.
The case matters because it involves how the UK applies national security law to alleged foreign-directed activity on British soil. The Act’s offences can carry serious penalties if proved.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “British man, 31, is charged under the National Security Act with assisting Russian intelligence services”.