Nicola Sturgeon was arrested as part of the investigation into the SNP’s finances.
The Former First Minister is the third arrest made by the force, following her husband Peter Murrell and party treasurer Colin Beattie.
She was released without charge seven hours later pending further investigation. Mr Beattie and Mr Murrell were also released without charge.
In a statement, Police Scotland said: “A 52-year-old woman has today, Sunday, 11 June, 2023, been arrested as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party.
“The woman is in custody and is being questioned by Police Scotland detectives.
“A report will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.”
Peter Murrell was also arrested in April and held by police for 11 hours.
Both he and Mr Beattie were subsequently released without charge pending further investigation.
Just hours before Ms Sturgeon’s arrest, SNP leader Humza Yousaf told the BBC Ms Sturgeon is “in a good place and doing well”.
He said he welcomed advice from “one of the best politicians, the most impressive politicians, Europe has seen over the last couple of decades”.
Responding to the arrest of the former first minister, Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray MP called on Humza Yousaf to “urgently come clean on what he knows”.
He said: “This is a deeply concerning development and the Police Scotland investigation must be allowed to proceed without interference.
“For too long, a culture of secrecy and cover-up has been allowed to fester at the heart of the SNP.
“The same culture that leads to police tents in front gardens created the deeply dysfunctional government that is currently failing Scots.
“Humza Yousaf must urgently come clean on what he knows – the people of Scotland deserve answers.”
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