Iranian Men Accused of Spying on UK-Based Journalists Face Trial

Three Iranian men have gone on trial in London accused of carrying out surveillance on UK-based journalists as part of an alleged operation linked to Iran.

Mostafa Sepahvand, 41, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 46, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 57, are accused of offences under the National Security Act, including allegedly assisting a foreign intelligence service.

All three men were born in Iran and were living in London when the alleged offences took place. They deny all the charges.

Journalists Allegedly Targeted

Woolwich Crown Court heard that the alleged targets included journalists working for Iran International, a Persian-language broadcaster that is critical of the Iranian government.

Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones KC told the jury that at least two journalists connected with the broadcaster were subjected to surveillance.

The prosecution alleges that the surveillance was carried out with the intention of identifying targets for possible serious violence.

The court heard that Sepahvand was allegedly expected to carry out an attack, while Manesh and Noori are accused of conducting surveillance and reconnaissance.

The prosecution says the alleged activities included visiting addresses associated with the targets, taking photographs and videos and conducting online research.

Mr Emlyn Jones told jurors that the evidence would show the defendants were engaged in what he described as a form of spying.

Details Allegedly Gathered About Journalists

One journalist allegedly targeted was Mojtaba Pourmohsen.

The court heard that photographs of him, his workplace and a hotel where he had previously stayed were found in a briefing document on Sepahvand's mobile phone.

The prosecution also alleges that Noori photographed the block of flats where Pourmohsen lived in Brentford, south-west London, in December 2024.

Sepahvand and Manesh are accused of subsequently visiting the location to take photographs and videos.

Another journalist, Kambiz Hosseini, was also allegedly subjected to surveillance.

The prosecution said the men knew personal details about him, including the name of his dog and the colour of his car.

Mr Emlyn Jones told the court that the discovery of such information could have a significant psychological impact on someone being monitored.

Alleged Payment of £150,000

The prosecution alleges that Sepahvand was due to receive £150,000 for identifying a target and carrying out what prosecutors described as an instruction to "finish them off".

The prosecution also alleges that Sepahvand was motivated partly by a desire to have a theft conviction in Iran resolved.

Prosecutors say he was in contact with two men using Iranian telephone numbers.

The court heard that Sepahvand allegedly complained about the risks involved and the money he was expected to spend.

In messages and voice notes presented to the jury, he allegedly described the work as illegal and expressed concern about the potential consequences.

The prosecution disputes his account of why he became involved.

Defendants' Positions

The three men deny the charges.

The prosecution said Sepahvand does not deny his involvement in the alleged activity but claims he was acting because he feared the consequences of refusing.

Prosecutors have described that explanation as false and say he was motivated by money and by his desire to resolve his criminal conviction in Iran.

Manesh and Noori are expected to argue that they did not know they were conducting surveillance on behalf of Iran.

Those claims will be considered by the jury during the trial.

Other Alleged Target

The court also heard that the men allegedly possessed a briefing document relating to Jonathan Turner, a barrister and founding member of UK Lawyers for Israel.

The prosecution says the document formed part of the wider evidence of surveillance and information gathering.

The circumstances surrounding each alleged target will be examined during the trial.

Background of the Defendants

All three defendants were granted temporary permission to remain in the UK after claiming asylum.

They arrived in Britain between 2016 and 2022.

The court heard that Sepahvand arrived in the UK concealed in a lorry, while Manesh and Noori arrived by small boat.

Their immigration histories form part of the background to the case but do not determine whether the allegations against them are proved.

National Security Act Charges

The charges arise under the UK's National Security Act, which includes offences concerning assistance to foreign intelligence services.

The case comes amid wider concerns about alleged foreign-state activity directed at people living and working in the UK.

However, the allegations made in this case remain matters for the court to determine.

The three defendants are entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until they are proved guilty.

Trial Continues

The trial is taking place at Woolwich Crown Court, with each defendant assisted by an interpreter.

The jury will hear evidence from the prosecution before considering the defendants' responses to the allegations.

At this stage, no finding of guilt has been made against any of the three men.

The trial continues.