Three Iranian Men Charged with Espionage in UK Following Counterterror Probe
Three Iranian men, Mostafa Sepahvand, Farhad Javadi Manesh, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, were charged by British police with espionage following a counterterrorism investigation. They are accused of assisting Iranian intelligence and potentially planning acts of serious violence. The charges come after their arrests in early May and they are set to appear in court soon.
British law enforcement officials have announced that three Iranian men are facing charges for espionage following an extensive counterterrorism investigation. The Metropolitan Police confirmed on Saturday that Mostafa Sepahvand, aged 39, Farhad Javadi Manesh, who is 44, and 55-year-old Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori have been charged with actions that are likely to assist a foreign intelligence service, namely that of Iran.
The charges stem from their alleged activities between August 14, 2024, and February 16, 2025. All three men are residents of London and have remained in custody since their arrests on May 3. They are expected to appear in court later today to respond to these grave allegations.
In addition to the overarching espionage charges, Sepahvand faces further accusations of participating in surveillance, reconnaissance, and open-source research, indicating a possible intent to inflict serious violence within the United Kingdom. Javadi Manesh and Khani Noori are implicated for their roles in surveillance activities that could lead to potential violence perpetrated by third parties.
The specifics regarding the potential target have not been disclosed by police authorities. Commander Dominic Murphy from the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command remarked on the gravity of the situation, stating that the charges are “extremely serious.” Significantly, a fourth individual who was also apprehended during this operation was released without any charges against him, indicating a focused investigative strategy amid the larger inquiry.
In summary, the Metropolitan Police have charged three Iranian nationals with espionage and related offenses following a counterterrorism investigation. The charges involve actions potentially aimed at assisting Iranian intelligence and could include threats of serious violence in the UK. These developments underscore the ongoing concerns regarding espionage and the very serious implications associated with such activities.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
