A 31-year-old man has been charged under the National Security Act over alleged contact with a representative of the GRU Volunteer Corps – a group controlled by Russia's military intelligence agency.
Joshua Cammidge was arrested on Friday by Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London and officers from Wiltshire Police at a home in Swindon, the Metropolitan Police said.
He was taken to a London police station and searches were carried out at a different address in Swindon.
Cammidge was further arrested on Saturday and detained under the National Security Act.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said Cammidge, a British national, has been charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday.
Frank Ferguson, chief crown prosecutor for the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: "The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute Joshua Cammidge with National Security Act offences following a counter terrorism policing investigation.
"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 any way prejudice these proceedings."
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Security Minister Dan Jarvis said: "The police have taken action against a potential threat, and I thank them for the vital work they do every day to keep us safe.
"Whilst it would be inappropriate to comment further on the specifics of this case, I know people will be concerned about recent incidents across Europe, intended to sow fear, create disruption and undermine support for Ukraine. They will not succeed.
"We'll continue to take whatever action is necessary to defend against the range of threats we face from Russia. Anyone attempting to undermine our security will feel the full force of the law."
The GRU has been behind many cyber attacks against Western institutions.
The UK deemed it a national security threat in July for collecting foreign intelligence and conducting hostile covert operations on behalf of Russian military spies.
(c) Sky News 2026: Man charged with assisting Russian intelligence
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