Two charged with spying for Iran after alleged surveillance of Jewish targets in London
The pair were arrested on March 6 as part of a Counter Terrorism Policing investigation
Two men have been charged under the National Security Act following a counterterrorism investigation into alleged Iranian-directed surveillance of locations and individuals connected to London’s Jewish community.
Nematollah Shahsavani, 40, a British-Iranian, and Alireza Farasati, 22, an Iranian, have been charged with engaging in conduct that is likely to assist a foreign intelligence service.
Shahsavani, of North Finchley, and Farasati, of Edgware, were due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
The pair were arrested on March 6 as part of a Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) investigation.
The men stand accused of conduct that is likely to assist a foreign intelligence service between July 9 and August 15, 2025.
Vicki Evans, senior national coordinator for CTP, said: “These are extremely serious charges under the National Security Act, which have come about following what has been a very complex investigation.
“Since the men were arrested two weeks ago, detectives have been working around the clock to gather and assess the evidence, and we have liaised closely with colleagues in the CPS to reach this point.
“We fully recognise that the public, and in particular the Jewish community, will be concerned, but I hope this investigation reassures them that we will not hesitate to take action if we identify there may be a threat to their safety, and will be relentless in our pursuit of those who may be responsible.”
Frank Ferguson, head of the CPS special crime and counterterrorism division, said the service had “decided to prosecute two men for an offence under the National Security Act.”
He added that the charges relate to “gathering information and undertaking reconnaissance of targets” in the UK on behalf of Iran, and that the CPS had worked closely with the Metropolitan Police’s counterterrorism command throughout the investigation.
Two other men who were arrested on March 6 as part of the investigation have been released without charge.
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