British Police Charge Three Iranian Men with Spying Offenses

Three Iranian men have been charged by British police with spying after a counterterror investigation revealed alleged activities supporting Iran’s intelligence service. The men are expected to appear in court soon.

British police have recently charged three Iranian men with serious spying offenses following an extensive investigation by counterterror detectives. The charges, announced on Saturday, involve Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, who all reside in London. They allegedly engaged in activities that could assist Iran’s intelligence service between August 14, 2024, and February 16, 2025.

All three have been in custody since their arrests on May 3 and are scheduled to appear in court later today. Sepahvand faces additional charges related to conducting surveillance, reconnaissance, and open-source research, all aimed at enabling serious violence against a yet-to-be-identified individual in the UK. The other two men have been charged with surveillance and reconnaissance as well, supposedly in support of the planned violence by third parties.

The Counter Terrorism Command of the Metropolitan Police, led by Commander Dominic Murphy, emphasized the severity of these charges. While the suspects await their court appearances, one additional man detained alongside them has been released without facing any charges.

After these events, there’s growing concern regarding foreign intelligence activities on British soil. Officials stress that maintaining national security is paramount—hence the swift action taken during the investigations. Security analysts express worry about the implications of such foreign interference, as it raises alarms not only about individual safety but also about broader national security matters.

In summary, British police have charged three Iranian men with serious espionage-related offenses following a counterterrorism investigation. The charges highlight ongoing concerns of foreign intelligence activities in the UK, underscoring the need for vigilant national security measures. The situation remains under close scrutiny, especially with one man released without charges amid heightened awareness of potential threats.

Original Source: abcnews.go.com