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Three Iranians on trial in UK for alleged spying on journalists
Three Iranian nationals, Mostafa Sepahvand, Farhad Manesh, and Shapoor Noori, have gone on trial at Woolwich Crown Court in London. They face charges under the UK National Security Act for allegedly spying on behalf of Iranian intelligence.
Prosecutors claim the defendants conducted surveillance and reconnaissance between August 2024 and early 2025, targeting at least two journalists associated with the London-based Farsi-language news network Iran International. The prosecution alleges the surveillance was intended to facilitate a violent attack against these journalists as retribution for their criticism of the Iranian regime.
Mostafa Sepahvand is alleged to have been earmarked to carry out a potential attack. While the defendants did not deny visiting specific addresses or taking photos and videos, they disputed the intent behind their actions. Sepahvand claimed he acted out of coercion and fear, while Manesh and Noori stated they were unaware they were assisting Iranian intelligence services.
Entities
Farhad Manesh · Iran International · Mostafa Sepahvand · Shapoor Noori · Woolwich Crown Court
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Defendant Mostafa Sepahvand claimed he was coerced and acted out of fear. www.europesays.com · kayhanlife.com · www.al-monitor.com · melliun.org · ir.voanews.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The surveillance and reconnaissance took place between August 2024 and early 2025. www.europesays.com · kayhanlife.com · www.al-monitor.com · melliun.org · ir.voanews.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Defendants Farhad Manesh and Shapoor Noori claimed they were unaware they were assisting Iranian intelligence. www.europesays.com · kayhanlife.com · www.al-monitor.com · melliun.org · ir.voanews.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The three defendants are accused of conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service. www.europesays.com · kayhanlife.com · www.al-monitor.com · melliun.org · ir.voanews.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The three defendants are charged under the UK National Security Act. www.europesays.com · kayhanlife.com · www.al-monitor.com · melliun.org · ir.voanews.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The defendants intended to target at least two journalists associated with Iran International. www.europesays.com · kayhanlife.com · www.al-monitor.com · melliun.org · ir.voanews.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Mostafa Sepahvand was allegedly designated to carry out a potential attack. www.europesays.com · kayhanlife.com · www.al-monitor.com · melliun.org · ir.voanews.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The ultimate objective of the surveillance was to subject targets to serious violence as retribution for criticizing the Iranian regime. www.europesays.com · kayhanlife.com · www.al-monitor.com · melliun.org · ir.voanews.com