Alex Salmond, for years the leading face of the Scottish independence campaign, has been arrested and could appear in court later Thursday.
It is not yet known what charges Salmond, the country's former first minister and ex-leader of the Scottish National Party, may face.
A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: "We can confirm that a 64-year-old man has been arrested and charged and a report will be sent to the procurator fiscal."
Prosecutors told CNN more details would be made public after Salmond's first private appearance in court.
Police had been investigating Salmond following an internal inquiry by the Scottish government last year into allegations of sexual misconduct against him. Salmond strenuously denies those claims.
Earlier this month, he won a procedural case against the Scottish government over its handling of an investigation into harassment allegations brought by two women, according to the UK's Press Association news agency.
Salmond stood down as first minister and SNP leader following defeat in the November 2014 referendum on Scottish independence, which he had long championed. He was replaced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Despite leaving the Scottish parliament, Salmond has remained a prominent figure in both Scottish and British politics, working as a commentator and hosting "The Alex Salmond Show" on Russian state broadcaster RT.
