Three Iranians tried in London over surveillance of journalists — Jerusalem Post
A trial of three Iranians has begun in London, United Kingdom. According to the prosecution, they monitored journalists from the Persian-language television channel Iran International, which criticizes Iran’s authorities, on behalf of Iran’s foreign intelligence service in order to prepare an attack.
The surveillance, according to the prosecution, lasted from August 2024 to March 2025.
Surveillance charges
As reported by the Jerusalem Post, the case is being heard at Woolwich Crown Court. The defendants are 41-year-old Mostafa Sepahvand, 46-year-old Farhad Javadi Manesh, and 57-year-old Shapour Kalehali Khani Nouri.
Each of them denied two charges brought under the UK National Security Act. According to the publication, this law gives British authorities new powers to counter threats from foreign states.
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Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones told jurors that the defendants collected information on at least two Iran International journalists, visited addresses connected to them, and took photographs and videos. According to him, the attack was to be carried out by Sepahvand.
Defense positions
The prosecutor claims that the ultimate goal was to use serious violence against one or more journalists — in retaliation for criticism of the Iranian regime and to intimidate others.
According to Emlyn Jones, all three admitted visiting certain locations and taking photographs and videos, but deny the purpose of these actions alleged by the prosecution. Manesh and Nouri say they did not know about the alleged assistance to Iranian intelligence, while Sepahvand, according to the prosecutor, admitted being aware of it but said he acted under pressure or threats.
