Three Iranians on Trial in UK for Spying on Dissident Journalists
Prosecutors say the men gathered addresses, photos and videos of at least two journalists in preparation for an attack, while all three deny the charges.
- On Tuesday, the trial of Mostafa Sepahvand, Farhad Javadi Manesh, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori began at London's Woolwich Crown Court, where prosecutors accused them of surveilling journalists at the Farsi-language Iran International network on behalf of the Iranian regime.
- Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones told the jury the men aimed to "locate and target at least two journalists associated with" the station, intending to subject them to serious violence as "retribution for their criticism of the Iranian regime."
- Charged under Britain's National Security Act, the defendants acknowledged visiting locations and taking photos but disputed the purpose, with prosecutors alleging the activity was intended to assist an Iranian foreign intelligence service.
- In their defense, Manesh and Noori denied knowledge of intelligence assistance, while Sepahvand argued he had been "bullied or threatened into doing what he did," according to court testimony.
- The trial is expected to last up to six weeks, unfolding against a backdrop of growing tensions between Britain and Iran, which prosecutors say has repeatedly targeted dissidents and critics abroad.
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Radio France Internationale
France24Iranians spied on London-based journalists 'on behalf of' Tehran: prosecutor
The Iranian nationals visited addresses linked to people including two journalists working for the Farsi-language Iran International television news network, which Tehran has labelled a terror organisation. Mostafa Sepahvand, 41, Farhad Manesh, 46, and Shapoor Noori, 57, who have all pleaded not guilty, appeared at Woolwich Crown Court in London accompanied by translators. Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones told the jury the three were accused of condu…
Iranian Spies Targeted Journalists In London In Plan To Inflict Serious Violence, Court Hears
Mostafa Sepahvand, 41, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 46, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 57, are accused of carrying out surveillance and reconnaissance against at least two men who worked for London-based Persian language broadcaster Iran International. Woolwich Crown Court heard they visited addresses linked to their targets, taking photos and videos, and carried out online research […]
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