Translated with AI
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, brother of King Charles III and previously stripped of all his titles amid the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, has been arrested in the UK, the BBC reports.
According to the Royal Broadcasting Corporation, police detained him on suspicion of abuse of office. On Thursday morning, photographs were published of cars arriving at the royal Sandringham estate in Norfolk, where Mountbatten-Windsor currently resides.
British police released a statement announcing the arrest without naming the suspect.
"As part of the investigation, we today arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of abuse of office and are conducting searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. The man is currently in custody," the statement read.
BBC Royal Correspondent Sean Coughlan called the incident an unprecedented event for the UK. He emphasized, however, that the arrest should not be seen as evidence of guilt, and no formal charges have yet been brought against Andrew.
British police said this week they were investigating a complaint alleging the former prince provided confidential material to Epstein.
Documents released in the US about the Epstein case show that Andrew provided him with reports on his trips to Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam, as well as confidential information about investment opportunities.
Following this, the anti-monarchy organisation Republic approached Thames Valley Police with a request to investigate suspicions of abuse of office and a possible breach of state secrets.
Andrew, who turned 66 on Thursday, has repeatedly denied all charges against him and insisted he committed no wrongdoing.
"Following a thorough assessment, we have launched an investigation into this allegation of abuse of office. We understand the significant public interest in this matter and will provide further information in due course," said police spokesman Oliver Wright.
In October, the king stripped his brother of his title of prince and his remaining titles, and shortly before this, Andrew formally voluntarily renounced his title of Duke of York.
