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British Man Charged Under National Security Act Over Alleged Contact With GRU Volunteer Corps

The CPS says it has sufficient evidence and the case will proceed to Westminster Magistrates' Court, signalling use of the 2023 law against alleged Russia-linked covert activity.

Overview

  • Prosecutors authorised charges on Wednesday, September 9, against 31-year-old Joshua Cammidge of Swindon for assisting a foreign intelligence service and for preparatory conduct under the National Security Act 2023.
  • Police arrested Cammidge at an address in Swindon on Friday, September 4, moved him to a London police station and carried out searches at a second Swindon property before further detention under the Act on September 5.
  • The specific charges are alleged breaches of section 3 (assisting a foreign intelligence service) and section 18 (conduct intended to prepare an act such as sabotage) of the National Security Act 2023.
  • Counter Terrorism Policing London led the investigation with support from Wiltshire Police, and the CPS said its prosecutors found sufficient evidence to bring the case in the public interest.
  • Authorities have named the alleged link as contact with a representative believed to be from the GRU Volunteer Corps, described as a group controlled by Russia’s military intelligence, and they have warned against reporting that could prejudice the active proceedings.