The United Kingdom requested the extradition of a citizen with dual British and Azerbaijani nationality accused of conducting espionage against a British military base on the Mediterranean island and transmitting information to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran (IRGC). The case represents a new sign of concern in London regarding intelligence activities linked to the Iranian regime and its security agencies.
The suspect was identified as Rashad Sultanov, 44 years old and residing in Islington, north of London. He is currently detained by Cypriot authorities while procedures are underway to determine his eventual extradition to the United Kingdom, reported the Metropolitan Police of London.
The investigation focuses on a series of incidents that occurred between May 11 and June 22 of last year around the RAF Akrotiri base, a British military facility located in Cyprus. According to Scotland Yard, this is the first investigation conducted abroad under the British National Security Act and led by anti-terrorism agents.
British authorities claim that Sultanov allegedly conducted hostile surveillance on the military base and subsequently shared the information obtained with the IRGC, one of the main military and security structures of the Iranian regime.
The suspect had previously been detained by Cypriot authorities in 2025 and had been in custody since then. At that time, an Israeli minister stated that Cypriot authorities had thwarted a possible attack against Israeli citizens. Following the formal extradition request submitted by London, Sultanov was arrested again on July 17, as confirmed by the Police of Cyprus.
Helen Flanagan, head of counter-terrorism in London, emphasized that the case demonstrates that the United Kingdom can utilize its national security legislation beyond its borders when British military facilities are allegedly targeted by hostile activities from foreign states.
