2 Britons charged with espionage for China

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - Two men have been charged with espionage for China and allegedly supplying information "useful to an enemy" in a case that has sent shockwaves across the UK.

According to the British media, Christopher Berry, 32, hailing from Witney, Oxfordshire, and former parliamentary researcher Christopher Cash, 29, residing in Whitechapel, London, have been charged under the Official Secrets Act following a rigorous counterterrorism investigation.

The charges stem from allegations that between December 2021 and February 2023, the accused men obtained, recorded, and disseminated information "for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the state," which could be construed as "directly or indirectly, useful to an enemy."

Arrested last March, both individuals have been on police bail during the ongoing investigation.

They are slated to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday to face the charges brought against them.

According to SkyNews, Commander Dominic Murphy of the Counter Terrorism Command remarked: "This has been an extremely complex investigation into what are very serious allegations."

"We're aware there has been a degree of public and media interest in this case, but we would ask others to refrain from any further comment or speculation so that the criminal justice process can now run its course."