Two men deny Iran-backed surveillance of Jewish and Israeli sites in London
Two men have pleaded not guilty to charges of conducting surveillance on Jewish and Israeli sites in London on behalf of Iranian intelligence. The defendants, Nematollah Shahsavani and Alireza Farasati, are accused of hostile reconnaissance and will face trial next year.
Why it matters
The case highlights concerns regarding foreign state-sponsored espionage and national security threats within the UK.
Image source, Julia Quenzler/BBC Image caption, Prosecutors allege that Nematollah Shahsavani (right) directed Alireza Farasati to gather intelligence on London's Israeli communities
Two men have pleaded not guilty to carrying out surveillance on Jewish and Israeli sites across London on behalf of Iran's intelligence service.
Nematollah Shahsavani, 41, and Alireza Farasati, 22, are accused of engaging in conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service under the National Security Act 2023.
Prosecutors allege the pair carried out hostile reconnaissance at several locations between 9 July and 15 August last year.
Targets allegedly included the Israeli embassy and consulate, a woman said to be of interest to Iran, a college, and Britain's oldest synagogue.
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