London: An American Army officer arrested in the United Kingdom on suspicion of spying for Russia is expected to be charged in Britain in the coming days, a US official said on Thursday, adding that no information had been passed to Moscow.
Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Tyner is expected to face British charges on Sunday or Monday. The intention is then to prosecute him under the US military justice system, the official said.
A second US official also confirmed Tyner's identity and said he had previously been deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Qatar. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters.
Tyner was a senior human resources officer assigned to a NATO unit at a base near Gloucester, England. He was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service and obtaining or disclosing protected information.
The Metropolitan Police announced the arrest this week, saying its counter-terrorism forces had worked closely with the FBI and the US military.
Tyner was serving with NATO's Allied Rapid Reaction Corps at Imjin Barracks near Gloucester. The multinational land unit is designed to respond quickly to crises or short-notice operations. According to its website, it comprises forces from 20 nations and is led by Britain.
Police said the arrest was not connected to other counter-terrorism investigations. This indicated that it was not linked to a suspected terror plot involving Iran in September at RAF Fairford, a US-run base near Gloucester.
The investigation is ongoing, with Tyner expected to face legal proceedings in Britain before any prosecution under the US military justice system.