One woman and two men have been arrested in Essex under suspicion of spying for Russia’s foreign intelligence service.
The Metropolitan Police said a 35-year-old woman, a 42-year-old, and a 46-year old men were also arrested in the Grays area of Essex.
Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Counter Terrorism Command, said, “Through our recent national security casework, we’re seeing an increasing number of who we would describe as ‘proxies’ being recruited by foreign intelligence services.
“Indeed, two young British men are awaiting sentencing after they were recruited by the Wagner Group – effectively the Russian state – to carry out an arson at Ukrainian-linked warehouse. They are facing potentially lengthy custodial sentences, although, to be clear, today’s arrests are in no way connected to that investigation.
“But anyone who might be contacted by and tempted into carrying out criminal activity on behalf of a foreign state here in the UK should think again.
“This kind of activity will be investigated and anyone found to be involved can expect to be prosecuted and there are potentially very serious consequences for those who are convicted.”
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