Two men have been charged with spying for China after allegedly providing information which could be “useful to an enemy”.
Christopher Berry, 32, and Christopher Cash, 29, are accused of giving “articles, notes, documents or information” to a foreign state under the Official Secrets Act.
They will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday 26 April.
The Metropolitan Police called it an “extremely complex investigation”
Counter-Terrorism Command Commander Dominic Murphy said “a very complex investigation into very serious charges has been carried out” against the two men charged today.
“While I am aware of the public and media interest in this case, I would ask others to refrain from further comment or speculation in order to ensure that the criminal proceedings proceed smoothly.”
Metropolitan Police already mentioned. Two men were arrested on March 13, 2023 in connection with the investigation. A man in his 30s was arrested at an address in Oxfordshire, and a man in his 20s was arrested at an address in Edinburgh.
Both men were subsequently released on police bail while the investigation continued and the case file was sent to the CPS for review in late 2023.
The charges against Mr Berry, of Witney, Oxfordshire, are said to have taken place between 28 December 2021 and 3 February 2023, while the charges against Mr Cash, of Whitechapel, London, are said to have taken place between 28 December 2021 and 3 February 2023. The charges are said to have taken place during the month of January
The indictment states: Obtaining, collecting, recording, publishing, or transmitting information to any other person for the purpose of prejudicing national security or interests.” . So calculated thatcan be or should be useful to the enemy, directly or indirectly.
The two were released on bail.
Nick Price, head of the CPS’ special crime and counter-terrorism division, said in a statement: You should not report, comment, or share information online that could affect your right to a fair trial in any way. ”