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Iranian Nationals Charged Under National Security Act for Suspected Involvement with Foreign Intelligence Service

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Three Iranian nationals have been charged under the National Security Act with engaging in conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service, following a counter-terrorism investigation led by the Metropolitan Police. Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, were arrested and detained on 3 May and have been remanded in custody. The men are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday, charged with various offenses related to surveillance, reconnaissance, and potential acts of serious violence against a person in the UK.

Key Takeaways:

  • The three Iranian nationals, Mostafa Sepahvand, Farhad Javadi Manesh, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, have been charged under the National Security Act for engaging in conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service.
  • The charges relate to allegations of surveillance, reconnaissance, and potential acts of serious violence against a person in the UK.
  • Sepahvand was also charged with engaging in open-source research, intending to commit acts of serious violence against a person in the UK.
  • Manesh and Noori have been charged with engaging in surveillance and reconnaissance with the intention that others would commit acts of serious violence against a person in the UK.
  • The investigation was led by the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command, working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service.
  • The men were arrested and detained on 3 May, with warrants of further detention granted on 9 May.
  • The charges are the first under the National Security Act, which was used to arrest and detain the men without a warrant.
  • Iran was listed as a top-level foreign power on the UK's foreign influence registration scheme (Firs) in 2024, aimed at protecting the UK from malign foreign influence.

Statistics:

  • At least four Iranian nationals have been arrested in connection with separate investigations, with two groups of men facing charges.
  • The men were arrested on 3 May, with warrants of further detention granted on 9 May.
  • The investigation was led by the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command, working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service.
  • The Crown Prosecution Service has authorized criminal charges against the three defendants.

Sources:

  • City AM: https://www.cityam.com/uk-approves-chinese-backed-megabattery-project-after-national-security-review/
  • City AM: https://www.cityam.com/uk-police-arrest-seven-iranians-in-counter-terrorism-probes/
  • City AM: https://www.cityam.com/iran-rejects-direct-negotiations-with-us-after-donald-trump-letter/

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