Three Iranian men arrested by anti-terror police in London have been charged with spying for Tehran.
The trio are alleged to have been helping the Middle Eastern country’s intelligence service between August 14 2024 and February 16 2025.
Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, of St John’s Wood, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44 of Kensal Rise and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, of Ealing, were arrested on May 3 under the National Security Act.
Sepahvand has been charged with conducting surveillance, reconnaissance and open-source research with the intention of committing serious violence against someone in the UK.
Manesh and Noori were charged with surveillance and reconnaissance with the intention of someone else committing serious violence against someone in the UK.
Commander Dominic Murphy, from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: ‘These are extremely serious charges under the National Security Act, which have come about following what has been a very complex and fast-moving investigation.
Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, of St John’s Wood, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44 of Kensal Rise and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, of Ealing, were arrested on May 3 under the National Security Act. Pictured: File photo
‘Since the men were arrested two weeks ago, detectives have been working around the clock and we have worked closely with colleagues in the CPS to reach this point. We have been in contact with the individuals directly affected, and we continue to provide them with support.
‘Now that these men have been charged I would urge people not to speculate about this case, so that the criminal justice process can run its course.’
The trio will appear in court today.
A fourth man, 31, was also arrested last Friday, but was released without charge on May 15.
Iran was the first foreign power to be listed on the top level of the foreign influence registration scheme (Firs) earlier this year, aimed at protecting the UK from malign foreign influence.
It means anyone who is directed by the regime to carry out activities in the UK must declare it or face five years in prison once the scheme comes into force in July.
Last October, MI5 boss, Ken McCallum, said authorities had stopped 20 state-backed plots hatched by Iran in the UK since 2022.
Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service special crime and counter terrorism division, said: ‘Following a review of the evidence provided by the Metropolitan Police Service’s Counter Terrorism Command, we have authorised criminal charges against three Iranian nationals.
‘The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against these defendants are now active and that they have the right to a fair trial.
‘It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.’
Under section 27 of the National Security Act, officers can arrest without a warrant anyone they suspect is ‘involved in foreign power threat activity’.
Security minister Dan Jarvis told the Commons on May 6: ‘I can confirm to the House that these are the first Iranian nationals arrested under the National Security Act.’
