A 44-year-old man holding dual British and Azerbaijani nationality is currently detained in Cyprus, awaiting a court decision on a UK extradition request. British authorities allege he conducted espionage activities at the Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri, located in the island's southern region, and passed intelligence to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The suspect, who resides in Islington, north London, was arrested by Cypriot police on 17 July at the request of the Metropolitan Police. He has not been convicted, and the legal process is at the extradition stage. The case is being handled by London's counter-terrorism command, which has authorised charges under the UK's 2023 National Security Act.
Allegations and legal framework
According to the Metropolitan Police, the alleged offences occurred between 11 May and 22 June 2025 at RAF Akrotiri. The suspect is accused of carrying out "hostile surveillance" of the base, which is designated a prohibited place under British law, and then sharing the information with the IRGC, a foreign intelligence service. The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised charges under sections 3 and 4 of the National Security Act, covering assisting a foreign intelligence service and entering or inspecting a prohibited place with intent to prejudice UK security.
This is the first time the National Security Act has been applied to alleged offences committed on overseas territory. Helen Flanagan, head of London's counter-terrorism police, stated: "This case shows that we can use the National Security Act overseas when British military bases are alleged to be the target of hostile state activity."
The Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, which remain under UK sovereignty since Cyprus gained independence in 1960, are explicitly listed as prohibited places under the Act. These bases are strategically vital for British and allied operations in the eastern Mediterranean.
Background and unanswered questions
In June 2025, Cypriot authorities arrested a British man of Azerbaijani origin on suspicion of espionage and terrorism-related offences. Reports in the Cypriot press at the time noted that he had been seen acting suspiciously near the Akrotiri base, in the Limassol area. However, Cypriot police did not confirm whether this was the same individual, and the Metropolitan Police did not respond to queries from Agence France-Presse on the matter.
The case has drawn attention to the strategic importance of RAF Akrotiri, which has been in the spotlight during the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel. In March 2025, a Shahed-type drone struck the base, causing minor damage. The IRGC has previously threatened to attack British bases used by US forces for strikes against Iran.
The extradition hearing in Cyprus is expected to proceed in the coming weeks. The outcome will determine whether the suspect is sent to the UK to face trial. Meanwhile, the case underscores the growing use of the National Security Act to address espionage threats beyond British borders, a development that may have implications for other European nations hosting UK military installations.
Cyprus itself has been a focal point for regional security discussions, with recent efforts to revive peace talks under UN auspices. The island's geopolitical position, straddling Europe and the Middle East, makes it a key player in intelligence and defence matters.
As the legal process unfolds, observers will be watching whether this case sets a precedent for how the UK applies its national security laws in overseas territories, and how Cyprus balances its own sovereignty with its role as a host to British bases.
