Cyprus Holds 44-Year-Old Briton in Iran Spy Case at RAF Akrotiri
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 31
Cyprus Holds 44-Year-Old Briton in Iran Spy Case at RAF Akrotiri
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 31
Summary
Cypriot authorities arrested Rashad Sultanov, 44, on 17 July and are holding him as extradition proceedings continue in a British investigation into alleged spying at RAF Akrotiri.
London counter-terrorism police said Sultanov, a British-Azerbaijani from Islington, conducted hostile surveillance on the base between 11 May and 22 June last year and passed information to Iran's IRGC.
The Met said the case is Britain's first overseas investigation under the National Security Act, underscoring its use against alleged hostile state activity targeting UK military sites.
RAF Akrotiri has become more sensitive after the IRGC threatened British bases earlier this month; the Cyprus base was lightly damaged by a Shahed-type drone strike in March and has supported operations in Iraq, Syria and Yemen.