Three Iranian Men Charged with Espionage in London

Three Iranian men have been charged in London with espionage offenses after a counterterror investigation. Charges include aiding Iran’s intelligence services and engaging in conduct likely to facilitate violence. They will appear in court following their arrests on May 3, while a fourth suspect was released without charge.

The Metropolitan Police in London announced on Saturday that three Iranian men have been charged with espionage offenses after a thorough investigation by counterterror detectives. The charges come amidst rising concerns over foreign intelligence activities in the UK.

The accused individuals—Mostafa Sepahvand, aged 39, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, and 55-year-old Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori—are facing serious allegations. They are purported to have engaged in conduct that could aid a foreign intelligence service, namely that of Iran, between mid-August 2024 and mid-February 2025.

All three suspects currently reside in London and have remained in custody since their arrests on May 3. They are scheduled to make a court appearance later today, where formal proceedings will continue. In addition to the general espionage charge, Sepahvand faces allegations involving surveillance and open-source research intended to facilitate severe violence against an individual in the UK.

The other two defendants, Manesh and Noori, are accused of participating in similar surveillance and reconnaissance activities, presumably set to enable violence by other parties. The Metropolitan Police have not disclosed the identity of any individual purportedly targeted in these schemes.

These developments were highlighted by Commander Dominic Murphy of the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command, who characterized the situation as having “extremely serious” implications for national security. Meanwhile, it is worth noting that a fourth man linked to this investigation was arrested, but authorities later released him without charges.

In summary, the Metropolitan Police have charged three Iranian men with serious espionage offenses stemming from an investigation by the Counter Terrorism Command. The allegations are particularly grave, pointing to potential collaboration with a foreign intelligence service, designated as Iran. The legal process is ongoing as the accused prepare to face a judge, underscoring the sensitivity and significance of national security within the UK.

Original Source: abcnews.go.com