British man charged under National Security Act over alleged contact with Russia's military intelligence
Quick Look
- Joshua Cammidge, a 31-year-old British man from Swindon, has been charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service and preparatory conduct under the National Security Act after allegedly receiving instructions from an individual linked to Russia's GRU Volunteer Corps.
- He was arrested by Counter Terrorism Policing London and Wiltshire Police and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The National Security Act 2023 provides legal frameworks for addressing threats to national security, including assisting foreign intelligence services. The GRU Volunteer Corps is described as a group controlled by Russia's military intelligence agency, the GRU.
A 31-year-old British man has been charged under the National Security Act over alleged contact with Russia's military intelligence agency.
Joshua Cammidge, from Swindon, allegedly received instructions from an individual believed to be linked to the GRU Volunteer Corps, a group controlled by Russia's military intelligence agency, the Crown Prosecution service said.
He has been charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service and preparatory conduct.
He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday.
Cammidge was arrested at an address in Swindon on Friday by Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London officers, supported by officers from Wiltshire Police.
He was taken to a London police station and searches were carried out at a different address in Swindon, the Metropolitan Police said.
He was further arrested and detained under the National Security Act on Saturday.
The force said he has been charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service contrary to Section 3 of the National Security Act 203 and preparatory conduct contrary to Section 18 of the National Security Act 2023.
Frank Ferguson, chief crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: "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."
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Joshua Cammidge will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday as scheduled.
Very likely · Within days
The Crown Prosecution Service will proceed with the case against Joshua Cammidge.
Very likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What specific instructions did Joshua Cammidge allegedly receive?
- What evidence supports the link between the individual and the GRU Volunteer Corps?
- Are there any broader implications for UK-Russia intelligence relations?
