‘Taxi driver’, 45, is arrested over ‘spying for Iran’ at RAF base in Cyprus targeted by barrage of drones

A BRITISH “taxi driver” has been arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran at an RAF base in Cyprus – which was later targeted by drones. Rashad Sultanov, 44 – a dual UK and Azerbaijani national – is accused of sharing information with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). Sultanov was arrested on July 17 by Cypriot authorities Credit: Reuters The UK’s key Mediterranean base was blitzed by Iranian suicide drones in March Credit: AP Sultanov was arrested on July 17 by Cypriot authorities and is currently being held in custody as extradition proceedings remain ongoing. His arrest comes after counter-terror cops investigated incidents at RAF Akrotiri between May 11 and June 11 last year. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Just months later, the UK’s key Mediterranean base was blitzed by Iranian suicide drones, with a naval warship later sent to defend the island. Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) officials have since authorised charges against Sultanov under section 3 and 4 of the National Security Act. He allegedly monitored RAF fighter jet movements with a long-lens camera and took “copious notes”, according to reports. Sultanov, understood to be a taxi driver, reportedly wore a pro-Palestine T-shirt during an extradition hearing at Limassol District Court. Commander Helen Flanagan said: “This case shows we are able to use the National Security Act overseas when British military bases are allegedly targeted by hostile state activity. “A huge amount of partnership work has been carried out between British and Cypriot law enforcement agencies. Most read in The Sun “We continue to work with colleagues from the CPS, National Crime Agency and Cypriot authorities as extradition proceedings progress.” Earlier this month, the Home Office confirmed support for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps would be banned for the first time. Sweeping new national security powers made it a crime to support or assist the group. Anyone found backing the IRGC could face up to 14 years behind bars. And those carrying out espionage, sabotage or foreign interference on its behalf could face life in prison. The move follows a series of arson attacks and intimidation campaigns targeting Jewish communities and Israeli interests in Britain. The IRGC has long been accused of plotting intimidation, kidnappings and assassination attempts abroad, including threats to people in the UK. Britain retains two sovereign base areas in Cyprus, RAF Akrotiri and Dhekelia, under a treaty agreed upon independence in 1960. They are used to support British military operations in the Middle East. Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides later demanded negotiations over the bases. The RAF Akrotiri strike and subsequent delays in deploying a Royal Navy warship to the region have strained relations. Christodoulides said there must be an “open and frank discussion” with the UK about the bases, which he described as a “colonial consequence”. He told reporters: “When this situation is over in the Middle East, we are going to have an open and frank discussion with the British Government.”