31-year-old man arrested in Swindon charged with assisting the Russian intelligence services
Joshua Cammidge is accused of making contact with the GRU Volunteer Corps, a group controlled by Russia's military intelligence agency
Last updated 4 hours ago
A 31-year-old man, who was arrested in Swindon, has been charged under the National Security Act with assisting the Russian intelligence services.
The Metropolitan police say Joshua Cammidge, a British national, was arrested by Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London officers, supported by officers from Wiltshire Police, at an address in Swindon on Friday (4 September).
He was taken to a London police station and searches were carried out at a different address in Swindon.
Cammidge was further arrested and detained under the National Security on Saturday (5 September) on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service.
He has been charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service contrary to Section 3 of the National Security Act 2023 and preparatory conduct contrary to Section 18 of the National Security Act 2023, the force said.
The alleged offences relate to alleged contact with a representative of the GRU Volunteer Corps – a group controlled by Russia’s military intelligence agency.
Cammidge, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (10 September).
Frank Ferguson, chief crown prosecutor for the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute Joshua Cammidge with National Security Act offences following a counter terrorism policing investigation.
“Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.
“We remind all concerned that proceedings against the defendant are active and he has the right to a fair trial.
“It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in anyway prejudice these proceedings.”