A 31-year-old British man is due to appear before a London court after being charged with allegedly assisting a foreign intelligence service and preparing for an act of sabotage linked to Russia.
Joshua Cammidge, from Swindon, was arrested by counterterrorism officers on September 4 and later detained under the UK’s National Security Act. Prosecutors allege that he communicated with and received instructions from an individual connected to the GRU Volunteer Corps, a group controlled by Russia’s military intelligence agency.
The case comes amid heightened British concerns over suspected Russian espionage, covert operations and attempts to disrupt activities connected to the UK’s support for Ukraine.
Man Faces National Security Act Charges
Cammidge has been charged under two sections of the National Security Act 2023. The allegations include materially assisting a foreign intelligence service and engaging in preparatory conduct for an act of sabotage.
Counter Terrorism Policing London led the investigation, with assistance from Wiltshire Police. Officers arrested Cammidge at an address in Swindon and carried out searches at another property in the town before taking him to a London police station.
He is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on September 10. Prosecutors have stressed that the proceedings remain active and that Cammidge is entitled to a fair trial.
Alleged Russian Intelligence Connection
The allegations center on the GRU Volunteer Corps, which British authorities describe as being controlled by Russia’s military intelligence service. The UK designated the group a national security threat earlier this year amid concerns over foreign intelligence gathering and hostile covert activity.
British officials have increasingly warned about Russian-linked activities targeting the country and its allies. The GRU has previously been accused by UK authorities of involvement in hostile operations, including the 2018 Salisbury nerve-agent attack and other intelligence and sabotage activities across Europe.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis said authorities had acted against a potential threat, while emphasizing that the UK would continue taking measures to protect national security.
UK Tightens Response to Foreign Interference
The case highlights the broader powers available to British authorities under the National Security Act, which introduced new offences covering espionage, sabotage and foreign interference.
Assisting a foreign intelligence service can carry a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison upon conviction, while the offence involving preparatory conduct for sabotage can carry a maximum life sentence.
Authorities have urged caution in reporting the case while court proceedings are underway, warning that commentary or the publication of potentially prejudicial information could affect the legal process.
