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British‑Azerbaijani dual national Rashad Sultanov arrested in Cyprus for spying on RAF Akrotiri
Rashad Sultanov, a 44‑year‑old dual British‑Azerbaijani citizen from Islington, was detained by Cypriot police on 17 July 2026 on suspicion of conducting "hostile surveillance" of the UK sovereign base RAF Akrotiri between 11 May and 22 June 2025. He is alleged to have passed the collected intelligence to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The investigation was led by Counter‑Terrorism Policing London, in partnership with Cypriot authorities, the National Crime Agency and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The CPS has authorised charges under sections 3 and 4 of the National Security Act 2023 – the first time the 2023 law has been applied to alleged offences committed in an overseas territory. Extradition proceedings to the United Kingdom are under way. RAF Akrotiri, retained by Britain since the 1950s, is a key launch point for operations over the Middle East and was hit by an Iranian‑made drone in March 2026. Commander Helen Flanagan of CTP London said the case demonstrates the ability to use the National Security Act abroad when British bases are targeted by hostile state activity.
Entities
Counter Terrorism Policing London · Crown Prosecution Service · Cyprus · Helen Flanagan · Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps · Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) · National Security Act (UK) · National Security Act 2023 · RAF Akrotiri · Rashad Sultanov · United Kingdom
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 16 SOURCES] Extradition proceedings are under way to transfer Sultanov to the United Kingdom for trial. www.birminghammail.co.uk · www.bbc.co.uk · dnevnik.hr · wtop.com · srnnews.com · +10 more
- [● 16 SOURCES] He allegedly passed the information gathered to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). www.birminghammail.co.uk · www.bbc.co.uk · dnevnik.hr · wtop.com · srnnews.com · +10 more
- [● 16 SOURCES] This is the first investigation using the National Security Act in an overseas territory. www.birminghammail.co.uk · www.bbc.co.uk · dnevnik.hr · wtop.com · srnnews.com · +10 more
- [● 16 SOURCES] The Crown Prosecution Service authorized charges under sections 3 and 4 of the National Security Act 2023. www.birminghammail.co.uk · www.bbc.co.uk · dnevnik.hr · wtop.com · srnnews.com · +10 more
- [● 16 SOURCES] The investigation was led by Counter‑Terrorism Policing London with cooperation from Cypriot authorities, the National Crime Agency and other UK agencies. www.birminghammail.co.uk · www.bbc.co.uk · dnevnik.hr · wtop.com · srnnews.com · +10 more
- [● 16 SOURCES] RAF Akrotiri is a permanent UK sovereign base in Cyprus used for air operations over the Middle East. wtop.com · srnnews.com · www.dailyrecord.co.uk · www.dailystar.co.uk · news.stv.tv · +10 more
- [● 16 SOURCES] Rashad Sultanov, a 44‑year‑old dual British‑Azerbaijani national, was arrested in Cyprus on 17 July 2026. www.birminghammail.co.uk · www.bbc.co.uk · dnevnik.hr · wtop.com · srnnews.com · +10 more
- [● 16 SOURCES] He is accused of conducting hostile surveillance at RAF Akrotiri between 11 May 2025 and 22 June 2025. www.birminghammail.co.uk · www.bbc.co.uk · dnevnik.hr · wtop.com · srnnews.com · +10 more