Akrotiri, Cyprus (HRNW)- A British citizen has been arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran at the Royal Air Force (RAF) Akrotiri military base in Cyprus.
According to media reports, Rashad Sultanov, 44, from North London, is accused of conducting surveillance on the RAF base in Akrotiri and allegedly sharing intelligence with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Sultanov, who also holds Azerbaijani citizenship, was arrested by Cypriot police on July 17 and remains in custody pending legal proceedings.
The UK Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the suspect will be charged under the National Security Act, marking the first time an alleged offence has been investigated overseas under the 2023 legislation.
The United Kingdom has maintained a permanent military presence at RAF Akrotiri since the 1950s. In recent months, the base has reportedly been used by the Royal Air Force to launch operations aimed at intercepting Iranian missiles and drones.
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