Akrotiri, Cyprus. A dual British-Azerbaijani national has been arrested in Cyprus on suspicion of spying on RAF Akrotiri and passing information to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, London’s Metropolitan Police said on Friday.
Rashad Sultanov, 44, from Islington in north London, was arrested by Cyprus police on July 17 and remains in custody while extradition proceedings continue.
National Security Act investigation
The arrest was made as part of Britain’s first overseas investigation under the National Security Act, led by counter-terrorism police into incidents at RAF Akrotiri between May 11 and June 22 last year, the Metropolitan Police said.
Sultanov is alleged to have carried out hostile surveillance of the base before sharing information with the IRGC.
Police statement
“This case shows we are able to use the National Security Act overseas when British military bases are allegedly targeted by hostile state activity,” said Helen Flanagan, head of counter-terrorism policing in London.