An Afghan man who previously worked for the UK government has lost his appeal to regain British citizenship, which was revoked after he was exposed as a Russian agent.
The individual, known only as C2, was described as “highly intelligent, quick-witted, and cunning.” He was recruited by the Home Office in 2006 after seeking asylum in the UK in 2000.
According to a specialist tribunal, C2’s exceptional linguistic abilities allowed him to work closely with influential figures in the UK.
As noted by Mr. Justice Jay, during his tenure with the Foreign Office, C2 frequently accompanied high-ranking British officials and members of the royal family, including Prime Ministers Gordon Brown and David Cameron and then-Prince Charles and Prince William.
The 50-year-old, who held UK security clearance, had also previously worked for the Metropolitan Police.
C2 claimed to have collaborated with UK intelligence agencies MI6 and GCHQ, although neither agency confirmed these claims.
However, his association with British royalty and officials is likely over after the Home Office, his former employer, identified him as an agent of the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence service.
The tribunal heard that C2’s experience with the British government would be valuable to the GRU.
The Home Office revoked his citizenship in 2019, deeming him a threat to UK national security. C2 unsuccessfully appealed this decision.
C2 was initially granted UK citizenship in 2007.
Details of the decision to revoke his citizenship were withheld from the public due to national security concerns, according to Mr Justice Jay.
It is believed that C2’s work with the Afghan government in 2011 brought him into contact with Russian officials.
In 2013, C2 acquired Russian nationality, allegedly after marrying a Russian woman, the same year he resigned from his role in Afghanistan.
Subsequently, he worked for a fuel trading company as its representative in Russia and other northern Eurasian countries.
In 2019, C2 claimed to have met with British intelligence services during visits to his family in the UK after resuming work with the Afghan government.
Following these visits, his UK citizenship was revoked, and the Home Office branded him a GRU agent who posed a threat to national security.
C2 sought to restore his citizenship during a four-day appeal in February.
However, a judge dismissed his appeal, affirming that the Home Office’s assessment of C2 as a Russian intelligence agent was “amply justified.”
The appeal was partly dismissed because C2 could not access the national security information needed to challenge the case against him.
Court documents revealed that C2 was only given a limited amount of information.
In a public ruling, Mr Justice Jay, Judge Mark Blundell and lay member Phillip Nelson stated, “This entire case hinges on the Home Secretary’s assessment that C2 was an agent of the GRU at the material time.”
Mr Justice Jay added, “If the primary assessment is upheld, the notion that it would be proportionate to deprive C2 of his British citizenship is, equally, not difficult to support. Frankly, it would follow almost as night follows day.”
The tribunal’s decision underscores the severe national security considerations involved in cases of this nature.
