Three arrested in London on suspicion of Russia-linked spying

British police have arrested three men in London on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service, in a case linked to Russia under national security laws introduced in 2023.

Counter-terrorism officers detained the men, aged 48, 45 and 44, at addresses in west and central London, the Metropolitan Police said on Thursday. Several properties, including one other location, were being searched.

Dominic Murphy, Head of Counter-Terrorism Policing London, said the arrests formed part of broader efforts to disrupt recruitment by foreign intelligence agencies. “We’re seeing an increasing number of who we would describe as ‘proxies’ being recruited by foreign intelligence services, and these arrests are directly related to our ongoing efforts to disrupt this type of activity,” he said.

The investigation is being conducted under the National Security Act, which came into force in 2023 to expand the circumstances under which suspected spies can be prosecuted.

The arrests coincide with the sentencing of six men for an arson attack on Ukraine-linked businesses in east London last year, which prosecutors said was orchestrated by Russia’s Wagner mercenary group. The ringleader, Dylan Earl, became the first person convicted under the new legislation.

The Kremlin has denied involvement in any acts of sabotage in Britain, accusing London of routinely blaming Russia for “anything bad” that happens.

Last week, MI5 Director-General Ken McCallum said authorities had thwarted “a steady stream of surveillance plots with hostile intent – aimed at individuals Russian leaders perceive as their enemies.”

Police said the three men remain in custody and that investigations are continuing.

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