British Police Charge Three Iranian Men with Espionage Offenses

Three Iranian men have been charged with spying by British police after a counterterrorism investigation. They are accused of assisting Iranian intelligence operations from mid-August 2024 to mid-February 2025. One man faces additional charges of conducting surveillance aimed at serious violence. A fourth arrested individual was released without charges.

The British police have charged three men of Iranian nationality on accusations of espionage following an investigation by counterterrorism unit detectives. This announcement, made on Saturday, highlighted the seriousness of their alleged activities related to assisting Iranian intelligence operations.

The men, identified as Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, are accused of engaging in conduct that might assist a foreign intelligence agency—specifically, that of Iran—between mid-August 2024 and mid-February 2025. Notably, all three reside in London.

Having been detained since their arrest on May 3, the men were set to appear in court later that same day. Among the charges, Sepahvand faces an additional accusation related to conducting surveillance, reconnaissance, and open-source research aimed at committing serious violence against an individual in the UK. The other two men are also charged with similar activities, although it remains unclear who their alleged target was.

Commander Dominic Murphy from the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command characterized the charges as “extremely serious,” indicating the gravity of the situation. Furthermore, a fourth man apprehended during the investigation was released without facing charges, emphasizing the focus of the case on the three accused individuals.

In summary, three Iranian men have been officially charged with espionage-related offenses in the UK, following a counterterror probe into their alleged activities. With one individual facing more serious charges of direct involvement in potentially violent acts, the case raises significant security concerns. The situation remains dynamic as the men prepare for their court appearance after months in custody.

Original Source: abcnews.go.com