Rashad Sultanov, a 44-year-old resident of Islington in north London, currently faces allegations of conducting espionage against the British military facility RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. Authorities claim he engaged in hostile surveillance while providing sensitive data to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.
Sultanov, who maintains dual nationality with Azerbaijan, was taken into custody by local police on July 17. He remains detained as officials move forward with extradition requests. Prosecutors intend to charge him under the 2023 National Security Act, marking the inaugural application of this legislation to an alleged crime committed within an overseas territory.
RAF Akrotiri has served as a permanent UK military installation since the 1950s. Recently, the base has been utilized for missions involving the interception of Iranian aerial threats. The investigation, spearheaded by London’s Counter Terrorism Policing unit, targeted activities occurring between May and June 2025.
Commander Helen Flanagan emphasized that this operation proves the reach of the National Security Act regarding the protection of British assets abroad. She noted the significant coordination between UK agencies and Cypriot law enforcement as the legal process continues.
