A 44-year-old British man, Rashad Sultanov, who holds dual UK and Azerbaijani nationality and resides in central London, has been arrested in Cyprus in connection with alleged offences related to an overseas territory. This represents the inaugural use of the National Security Act in such circumstances.
Sultanov was detained by Cypriot authorities on Friday, 17 July, and is currently in custody pending extradition proceedings. The arrest stems from an investigation led by Counter Terrorism Policing London (CTP London) concerning activities at RAF Akrotiri, a British military base on the island of Cyprus, occurring between 11 May 2025 and 22 June 2025.
He is alleged to have conducted hostile surveillance on the base, which is classified as a prohibited location, and subsequently to have shared sensitive information with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), an Iranian foreign intelligence service, according to reports from the Daily Star.
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The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has authorised charges under sections 3 and 4 of the National Security Act in relation to these allegations. Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, emphasised the significance of the case, stating:
“This case shows we are able to use the National Security Act overseas when British military bases are allegedly targeted by hostile state activity.”
She also highlighted the extensive collaboration between British and Cypriot law enforcement agencies, adding, “A huge amount of partnership work has been carried out between British and Cypriot law enforcement agencies. We continue to work with colleagues from the CPS, National Crime Agency and Cypriot authorities as extradition proceedings progress.”