A man with dual British and Azerbaijani nationality appeared in a Cypriot court on charges related to espionage at a British military installation. Rashad Sultanov, 44, is accused of monitoring fighter jet movements at RAF Akrotiri, a Royal Air Force base in Cyprus that supports UK military operations across the Middle East. He allegedly transmitted sensitive information to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard.

Sultanov, originally from Islington, north London, was detained by Cypriot authorities in June 2025. Following his arrest, criminal proceedings were paused pending the United Kingdom’s request for his extradition. According to local authorities, Sultanov is suspected of photographing military assets and compiling detailed notes over a three-month period prior to his capture. It is further alleged that he communicated this material to a handler identified as Elsad Elsin Hajiyev, an Azerbaijani-Iranian figure wanted under an international arrest warrant.

Prior to relocating to London, Sultanov worked as a taxi driver in Leicester. He has denied all allegations against him.

Counter Terrorism Commander Helen Flanagan emphasized the significance of cooperation between agencies, noting extensive collaboration between British and Cypriot law enforcement officials in this investigation. The court proceedings are set to continue in the coming week as the extradition case progresses.