Arrest of Essex man fuels fears of rising Russian espionage in UK
A 64-year-old man was arrested in central London. He is suspected of collaborating with Russia. The detainee will appear in court in Westminster on Thursday.
The London police announced that they had detained 64-year-old Howard Michael Phillips from Harlow in Essex. The arrest occurred on 16 May in the centre of the British capital. The BBC reports that searches were conducted in Hertfordshire and Essex. The operations on-site have already ended. Phillips is suspected of engaging in actions "aiding a foreign intelligence agency in conducting activities against the United Kingdom", although the police have not disclosed further details on this matter.
Phillips was arrested under the regulations contained in the National Security Act. According to it, people can be detained without a warrant if the police "have reasonable suspicions" that they are "involved in the activities of a foreign power."
This arrest is not the first such case. Previously, two Britons were charged with aiding Russian intelligence services. All of this is connected with the April arson of a commercial property located in London and linked to Ukraine.
The Metropolitan Police emphasise that the recent arrest "is not connected to any other recent allegations or investigations related to crimes under the National Security Act." Phillips will appear in court in Westminster on Thursday, 23 May.
Russian activity across Europe
In May this year, the United Kingdom decided to expel the "Russian defence attaché associated with the attack on commercial property in London, owned by a Ukrainian citizen." Home Secretary James Cleverly emphasised that this incident fits into the "pattern of suspicious Russian activity across all European countries".
It has been cleverly pointed out that various kinds of Russian activities in the United Kingdom and other countries of the old continent have significantly intensified. As warned by the intelligence services of various European countries, Russian spies and diversionary groups may undertake sabotage shortly.
