British Man Accused of Spying on Cyprus RAF Base for Iran
A 44-year-old man from north London has been arrested on suspicion of spying on a UK military base in Cyprus. Rashad Sultanov, whose full name is not publicly known due to his Azerbaijani citizenship, was taken into custody by Cypriot police on July 17.
According to reports, the investigation focused on alleged hostile surveillance carried out between May 11 and June 22, during which time RAF Akrotiri, a UK military base in Cyprus since the 1950s, has been used for operations against Iranian missiles and drones. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has confirmed that Sultanov will be charged under the National Security Act, marking the first time an alleged offense of this nature has been investigated in an overseas territory.
The UK maintains a permanent base at Akrotiri since the 1950s, with RAF operations to counter Iranian activity being launched from there in recent months. The base’s presence is seen as crucial for maintaining regional stability and countering Iranian aggression.
Sultanov was arrested by Cypriot police after an investigation led by Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London revealed evidence of his alleged involvement in the surveillance activities. CTP London head Commander Helen Flanagan stated that this case demonstrates the UK’s ability to use its overseas military bases as a platform for investigating and prosecuting hostile state activity.
The partnership between British law enforcement agencies and their Cypriot counterparts has been instrumental in bringing this investigation to fruition, with the CPS working closely with National Crime Agency officials and local authorities. The extradition proceedings are ongoing, with Sultanov currently being held in custody pending trial.
As the case unfolds, it remains unclear how long it will take for Sultanov to face justice. However, his arrest marks an important step forward in addressing concerns about British military bases serving as a conduit for hostile state activity abroad.
Based on reporting from BBC Top Stories.
