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A British-Azerbaijani dual national was arrested in Greek Cyprus for allegedly conducting hostile surveillance at RAF Akrotiri and sharing information with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), British police said Friday.
The case is Britain’s first overseas investigation using the National Security Act in connection with alleged offenses in an overseas territory.
Rashad Sultanov, 44, of Islington in north London, was arrested by Greek Cypriot authorities on July 17 and remains in custody as extradition proceedings continue, the Metropolitan Police said.
The Crown Prosecution Service has authorized charges under Sections 3 and 4 of the National Security Act.
The investigation, led by Counter Terrorism Policing London, concerns incidents at RAF Akrotiri between May 11 and June 22, 2025.
Sultanov allegedly conducted hostile surveillance of the military base, which authorities described as a prohibited place, before sharing information with the IRGC.
British authorities described the IRGC as a foreign intelligence service.
“This case shows we are able to use the National Security Act overseas when British military bases are allegedly targeted by hostile state activity,” Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said.
Flanagan said extensive cooperation had taken place between British and Greek Cypriot law enforcement agencies.
“We continue to work with colleagues from the CPS, National Crime Agency and Cypriot authorities as extradition proceedings progress,” she added.
A British national of Azerbaijani descent was arrested in Greek Cyprus in June 2025 on spying and terrorism charges over suspected links to Iran.
Police did not disclose details about the man at the time, although he was reportedly seen behaving suspiciously near the air base close to the southern coastal city of Limassol.
British military bases in Greek Cyprus have become a point of tension during the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran.
London has allowed Washington to use RAF Akrotiri for what it described as defensive operations against Tehran.
An Iranian-made drone struck the runway at the base in Greek Cyprus in March.
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