Authorities in Essex have apprehended two men and a woman on suspicions of espionage activities linked to Russia.
The Metropolitan Police disclosed that the trio, consisting of two men aged 41 and 46, and a 35-year-old woman, were detained at separate locations in Grays for allegedly aiding a foreign intelligence service. They were subsequently transported to a London police facility for questioning. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the accusations are tied to Russia.
Commander Dominic Murphy, in charge of the Counter Terrorism Command, highlighted a concerning trend of individuals acting as ‘proxies’ for foreign intelligence agencies based on recent national security cases.
He referenced a separate case involving two young British men awaiting sentencing for being recruited by the Wagner Group, representing the Russian government, to commit an arson attack at a warehouse associated with Ukraine. The Commander emphasized that the recent arrests are not related to this specific incident.
Addressing the public, Commander Murphy warned against engaging in illicit activities on behalf of foreign states within the UK, stressing that such actions will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted with severe consequences for the offenders.
While the investigation is ongoing, all three suspects have been released on bail. Scotland Yard has chosen not to disclose their nationalities at this time.
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