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A man has been arrested in Cyprus as part of the first overseas investigation carried out under the UK's National Security Act involving alleged offences outside the United Kingdom.
Rashad Sultanov, 44, who holds both British and Azerbaijani citizenship and lives in Islington, was arrested by Cypriot authorities on Friday, 17 July. He remains in custody while extradition proceedings continue.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has approved charges against Sultanov under the National Security Act. The arrest follows an investigation led by Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London into incidents that allegedly took place at RAF Akrotiri between 11 May 2025 and 22 June 2025.
Investigators claim Sultanov carried out hostile surveillance at RAF Akrotiri, which is classified as a prohibited military site. He is also accused of passing information gathered at the base to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), which is identified as a foreign intelligence service.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said the investigation demonstrates that the National Security Act can be used in cases involving alleged hostile activities targeting British military bases overseas.
She added that British and Cypriot law enforcement agencies had worked closely together throughout the investigation. Flanagan also said cooperation with the Crown Prosecution Service, the National Crime Agency, and Cypriot authorities will continue as the extradition process moves forward.
The charges were authorised under Sections 3 and 4 of the National Security Act, which relate to assisting a foreign intelligence service and entering or remaining in a prohibited place for a purpose considered harmful to the UK's interests.
Cyprus is home to two British Sovereign Base Areas—RAF Akrotiri and Dhekelia Station—which have remained under British control since the 1950s.
