64‑year-old Briton arrested in London for aiding Russian spies

A 64-year-old man was arrested in central London. The man is suspected of collaborating with Russia. The detainee will appear in court in Westminster on Thursday.

London police announced that they had detained 64-year-old Howard Michael Phillips from Harlow in Essex. The arrest occurred on May 16 in the center of the British capital. The BBC reports that searches were conducted in Hertfordshire and Essex. The operations on-site have already ended. The man is suspected of engaging in actions "aiding a foreign intelligence agency in conducting activities against the United Kingdom". However, the police have not disclosed further details on this matter.

Phillips was arrested under the regulations of the National Security Act, which allows people to be detained without a warrant if the police "have reasonable suspicions" that they are "involved in the activities of a foreign power."

The arrest of the 64-year-old is not the first of its kind. Previously, two Britons were charged with aiding Russian intelligence services. This is connected with the April arson of a commercial property in London linked to Ukraine.

The Metropolitan Police emphasize that the recent arrest "is not connected to any other recent allegations or investigations related to crimes under the National Security Act." Phillips will appear in court in Westminster on Thursday, May 23.

In May of this year, the United Kingdom decided to expel the "Russian defense attaché associated with the attack on commercial property in London, owned by a Ukrainian citizen." Home Secretary James Cleverly emphasized that this incident fits into the "pattern of suspicious Russian activity across all European countries".

Cleverly pointed out that Russian activities in the United Kingdom and other European countries have significantly intensified. As warned by intelligence services, Russian spies and diversionary groups may undertake various sabotage acts soon.