not everywhere· Security· Updated
Iranian Spy Ring Uncovered in London Targeting Journalists
Three Iranian nationals are on trial in London, accused of espionage and plotting violent attacks against journalists and activists critical of the Iranian regime. The defendants, 41-year-old Mostafa Sepahvand, 46-year-old Farhad Javadi Manesh, and 57-year-old Shapour Kalehali Nouri, allegedly conducted surveillance and gathered intelligence on their targets between August 2024 and March.
3 newsrooms · 2 languages · since
What happened
- 01Three Iranian nationals are on trial in London for allegedly plotting assassinations and spying for Tehran.
- 02The alleged targets included journalists from the Farsi-language satellite channel Iran International and lawyer Jonathan Turner.
- 03Mostafa Sepahvand is accused of planning to carry out the physical attacks, while Farhad Javadi Manesh and Shapour Kalehali Nouri conducted surveillance.
- 04The defendants allegedly gathered intelligence and photographed the targets' homes between August 2024 and March.
- 05All three defendants arrived in the United Kingdom as asylum seekers between 2016 and 2022 and deny the charges.
- 06Mostafa Sepahvand claimed he acted out of fear, but prosecutors argue he sought financial gain and the annulment of a theft conviction in Iran.
- 07Farhad Javadi Manesh and Shapour Kalehali Nouri are expected to claim they did not know they were spying for Iran.
According to the prosecution, the operation aimed to silence and intimidate opposition voices in the United Kingdom. The primary targets included journalists from the London-based, Farsi-language satellite channel Iran International, which Tehran has designated a terrorist organization, and Jonathan Turner, a lawyer and co-founder of UK Lawyers for Israel. At least two employees of Iran International, including journalist Mojtaba Pourmohsen, were specifically targeted for severe violence.
Prosecutors stated that Sepahvand was recruited to carry out the physical attacks, while Manesh and Nouri performed preparatory work, including conducting online research and taking photographs and videos of the targets' homes. The three defendants, who arrived in the United Kingdom as asylum seekers between 2016 and 2022, have denied the charges under the National Security Act.
While Sepahvand admitted his involvement, he claimed he acted under duress and out of fear. The prosecution rejected this defense, asserting he was motivated by financial gain and the promise of having a prior theft conviction in Iran overturned. The other two defendants are expected to argue they were unaware they were spying for Iran.
Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated
Latest report: Now 14. Read Now 14’s originalThe coverage
3 newsrooms on this story
Who covered it
- LeftNone
- CentreNone
- Right1
- Haredi1
- ArabNone
- Other1
Not in the Left, Centre or Arab press
