UK man charged with assisting Russian military intelligence

September 9, 2026 at 10:43 PM2 min

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Joshua Cammidge, 31, of Swindon was charged under the National Security Act with assisting a foreign intelligence service and preparatory conduct. He is accused of receiving instructions from an individual linked to the GRU Volunteer Corps, controlled by Russia's military intelligence agency. He was arrested on Friday and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

Key Facts

Joshua Cammidge, 31, was arrested at an address in Swindon on Friday by Counter Terrorism Policing London officers, supported by Wiltshire Police.
He was charged under Section 3 and Section 18 of the National Security Act 2023 with assisting a foreign intelligence service and preparatory conduct.
Cammidge is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday.
The Crown Prosecution Service said he allegedly received instructions from an individual believed to be linked to the GRU Volunteer Corps, a group controlled by Russia's military intelligence agency.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis said police had taken action against a potential threat and thanked them for their work.

The Charges

Joshua Cammidge, 31, from Swindon, was charged under the National Security Act over alleged contact with Russia's military intelligence agency. He faces charges of assisting a foreign intelligence service contrary to Section 3 of the National Security Act 2023 and preparatory conduct contrary to Section 18. The Crown Prosecution Service said Cammidge allegedly received instructions from an individual believed to be linked to the GRU Volunteer Corps, a group controlled by Russia's military intelligence agency. Frank Ferguson, chief crown prosecutor for the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said prosecutors had established sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that it was in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.

Arrest and Court Appearance

Cammidge was arrested at an address in Swindon on Friday by Counter Terrorism Policing London officers, supported by officers from Wiltshire Police. He was taken to a London police station and searches were carried out at a different address in Swindon, the Metropolitan Police said. He was further arrested and detained under the National Security Act on Saturday. Cammidge is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

Official Response

Security Minister Dan Jarvis said police had taken action against a potential threat and thanked them for their work. Jarvis said it would be inappropriate to comment further on the specifics of the case, but that people would be concerned about recent incidents across Europe intended to sow fear, create disruption and undermine support for Ukraine. Ferguson reminded all concerned that proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.