Targeting journalists in the UK with the intention of causing them “serious violence” is the allegation against three accused Iranian spies who have appeared in court. London residents Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, and Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, were arrested at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Why are Iranian nationals accused of targeting journalists?
They are charged with attacking specific reporters employed by London-based Iran International, an independent media outlet. When the three defendants applied for asylum, they were given temporary permission to stay in the UK. They came to the UK between 2016 and 2022, including via tiny boat. In 2016, Mr. Sepahvand came in a truck disguised as a person. The three men face charges related to offenses they committed between 2024 and this year under the National Security Act. Two weeks ago, they were arrested.
They are accused of acting in a way that would help a foreign intelligence agency—specifically, Iran’s—carry out operations connected to the United Kingdom. They also knew or should have reasonably understood that their actions would help a foreign intelligence agency.
“Iran must be held to account for its actions,”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said in a statement following Saturday’s charges. She added:
“We must also strengthen our powers to protect our national security as we will not tolerate growing state threats on our soil.”
What evidence links the men to surveillance operations?
Additionally, Mr. Sepahvand, of St. John’s Wood, London, is accused of conducting open-source research, surveillance, and reconnaissance with the goal of carrying out severe harm against a person in the United Kingdom. Mr. Manesh of Kensal Rise, London, and Mr. Noori of Ealing, London, are accused of conducting reconnaissance and surveillance with the goal of causing serious harm against a person in the United Kingdom.
According to police, a fourth guy, 31, who had been detained on May 9 in connection with the inquiry, was freed on Thursday without being charged. The three men are accused of conducting surveillance in an effort to track out journalists connected to Iran International.
Iran International, which has been banned as a terrorist organization in Iran, publishes news that is critical of the country’s present government. With eight guards on either side, the three defendants showed up in the dock dressed in grey tracksuits. In a wheelchair was Mr. Sepahvand. The men did not indicate any pleas. They were remanded in jail by District Judge Annabel Pilling to appear before the Old Bailey on June 6.
According to Cdr Dominic Murphy of the Counter Terrorism Command of the Metropolitan Police, the “extremely serious” charges were brought after “a very complex and fast-moving investigation” on Saturday.
He said that authorities had been “in contact with the individuals directly affected” and that investigators had been “working around the clock” since the males were taken into custody.
“It is very important that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings,”
stated Frank Ferguson, head of the CPS special crime and counterterrorism branch.
