Newsroom
Cyprus has once again found itself at the center of international security concerns after a British man was accused of spying on RAF Akrotiri on behalf of Iran's military.
UK authorities say 44-year-old Rashad Sultanov, a British citizen who also holds Azerbaijani nationality, allegedly carried out surveillance on the British air base in Cyprus and shared intelligence with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Sultanov was arrested by Cypriot police on July 17 and remains in custody while extradition proceedings to the UK move forward.
According to British prosecutors, the alleged surveillance took place between May 11 and June 22, 2025, with investigators claiming Sultanov monitored activities at RAF Akrotiri, one of Britain's most strategically important overseas military bases.
The case is particularly significant because it will be the first prosecution under the UK's National Security Act 2023 involving alleged offenses committed in an overseas territory.
Commander Helen Flanagan, who heads Counter Terrorism Policing London, said the investigation demonstrates that the UK can pursue cases involving hostile state activity even when they take place outside Britain.
She also praised the close cooperation between British and Cypriot authorities, saying the investigation relied on extensive collaboration between law enforcement agencies in both countries, as well as the UK's Crown Prosecution Service and National Crime Agency.
Why Akrotiri matters
RAF Akrotiri has become increasingly important amid instability across the Middle East.
In recent months, the base has been used to support British military operations, including missions aimed at intercepting Iranian missiles and drones. Its location on Cyprus' southern coast makes it a critical hub for surveillance, logistics and rapid military deployments across the region.
The allegations come at a time when Cyprus is facing growing geopolitical attention, with the island repeatedly drawn into regional tensions despite insisting it is not a party to the conflicts.
The case is likely to further fuel concerns over foreign intelligence activity on the island and the strategic importance of the UK's Sovereign Base Areas, particularly as tensions between Iran and Western allies remain high.
If extradited to the UK, Sultanov will face charges under Britain's National Security Act, legislation introduced to strengthen the country's ability to prosecute espionage and other hostile activities linked to foreign states.
*Source: BBC
