Key facts
- A dual British-Azerbaijani national has been arrested in Cyprus.
- The arrested individual is named Rashad Sultanov.
- Sultanov is suspected of spying on a British air base.
- The air base in question is RAF Akrotiri.
- Information was allegedly passed to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
- This is the first overseas investigation under the UK's National Security Act.
- The National Security Act allows for overseas investigations into espionage.
- The arrest occurred in Cyprus.
Rashad Sultanov, a dual British-Azerbaijani national, has been arrested in Cyprus on suspicion of spying on a British air base. Sultanov is alleged to have passed information concerning RAF Akrotiri to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. This development marks a significant moment as it is the first overseas investigation initiated under the UK's National Security Act. The act, which came into force in 2023, provides expanded powers for the UK to investigate and prosecute espionage and related offenses committed by individuals overseas. The arrest in Cyprus underscores the increasing focus on foreign interference and espionage threats targeting sensitive military installations. The investigation is ongoing, and further details regarding the specific information allegedly passed to the IRGC have not yet been disclosed. This case is expected to set precedents for future overseas investigations under the new legislation.