UK Drops Espionage Charges Against Two Men Accused of Spying for China

London, Sep 15 (AP) Two men accused of espionage on behalf of China in the United Kingdom, including a former researcher employed by the UK Parliament, are no longer facing prosecution, authorities announced on Monday.

Christopher Cash, 30, and Christopher Berry, 33, had firmly denied accusations of breaching the Official Secrets Act by allegedly supplying information or documents that could be “useful to an enemy” and “prejudicial to the safety or interests” of the UK between late 2021 and February 2023.

Cash served as a parliamentary researcher working with key Conservative Party lawmakers specializing in security and foreign affairs, while Berry is said to be an academic located in Oxfordshire, who has been teaching in China since 2015.

The accusations involved them being in communication with each other and an individual suspected to be a Chinese intelligence operative.

The trial for the accused was set to commence next month at London’s Central Criminal Court, but prosecutors declared on Monday that the case would not proceed.

“The evidence in this case has been subject to ongoing review, and it has now been determined that the evidential standard required for the charges is no longer met,” stated the Crown Prosecution Service. “No further evidence will be offered.” (AP) SKS SKS

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