Three Iranian ‘spies’ charged with plotting ‘serious violence’ against UK-based journalists
AN IRANIAN ‘spy ring’ was plotting attacks on dissident journalists, a court heard.
Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 56, allegedly staked out homes linked to anti-Tehran media outlet Iran International.
And prosecutors say the reconnaissance missions - carried out since last summer - was in preparation for attacks on journalists working for the organisation by Iranian refugee Sepahvand.
Iran International is seen as terror group by Tehran.
Its offices and journalists have been targeted in the past, with its TV reporter Pouria Zeraati stabbed outside his Wimbledon home last year.
The three-strong ring were nicked by counter-terror cops on May 3, the same day as another alleged Iranian-linked terror cell was smashed by armed police and special forces troops.
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The trio, all from London, appeared before Westminster magistrates’ court this morning wearing grey, police-issue tracksuits and following the hearing through a Farsi interpreter.
Sepahvand - said to have injured his knee during his arrest - was pushed into the dock in a wheelchair.
None entered pleas to charges under the National Security Act, including engaging in activity likely to assist a foreign intelligence service and conducting reconnaissance in order to commit “serious violence”.
If convicted, the men face potential life sentences.
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District Judge Annabel Pilling remanded all three in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on June 6.
She told them: “There will be a trial in due course before a judge and jury if you plead not guilty.
“The next stage will be a preliminary hearing before the specialist judge, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, on June 6.
“In the meantime you will both be remanded into custody.”
This morning, Commander Dominic Murphy, of Scotland Yard, said detectives had been "working around the clock" since the men were arrested.
He described the charges as “extremely serious”.
UK spy chiefs have warned of growing numbers of Iranian-linked terror plots on British shores.
The Foreign Office previously revealed more than 20 Iran-backed plots to kidnap or kill British nationals on UK soil have been thwarted since 2022.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper this morning warned: “Iran must be held to account for its actions.
“We must also strengthen our powers to protect our national security as we will not tolerate growing state threats on our soil.”
This comes after the three Iranians were charged earlier today with engaging in conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service.
They were granted temporary leave to remain in the UK after arriving and claiming asylum.
Sepahvand was also charged with engaging in conduct, namely surveillance, reconnaissance and open-source research, between August 14, 2024 and February, 16, 2025 and intending to commit acts, namely serious violence against a person in the United Kingdom, contrary to Section 18 of the National Security Act.
Mr Sepahvand arrived in the UK in 2016 concealed in a lorry.
Manesh and Noori have also been charged with engaging in conduct, namely surveillance and reconnaissance, with the intention that acts, namely serious violence against a person in the United Kingdom, would be committed by others.
On May 9, a fourth man, aged 31, was also arrested as part of the investigation and was detained under Section 27 of the National Security Act.
He was released without charge on Thursday.
It has now been alleged that the three men were targeting individual UK-based journalists working for an independent media organisation based in London.
It has been alleged they carried out surveillance with the intent of locating journalists associated with Iran International, an outlet based in London critical of the Iranian regime.
Iran International has been proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the regime.
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.
"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.”
This afternoon, Scotland Yard said four men arrested in connection with the second alleged Iranian plot have now been released on bail - after two weeks in the cells.
Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command said: “We made these arrests due to concerns about a suspected plot to target a specific premises.
"Since those arrests, detectives have been working to assess all the evidence we’ve gathered and to question the men.
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“They are now being released from custody but our investigation remains active and is ongoing."
A fifth alleged member of the spy ring, who was nicked during raids earlier this month, was previously released on bail.