Three Iranian Nationals Stand Trial in London Over Espionage Charges
Three Iranian nationals are on trial in London for allegedly conducting espionage and surveillance on journalists and critics of the Iranian regime on British soil.
Three Iranian nationals are on trial in the United Kingdom on charges of espionage and conducting surveillance on journalists linked to Iranian opposition figures. The prosecution alleges this was part of a plot aimed at inflicting violent harm against targets on British soil.
The trial opened today at the Royal Courts of Justice in Woolwich, London. The defendants are 41-year-old Mostafa Sepahvand, 46-year-old Farhad Javadi Menesh, and 57-year-old Shapour Kalahali Khani Nouri. All three deny the charges brought against them under the British National Security Act.
Surveillance and Targets
According to the prosecution, between August 2024 and March 2025, the trio carried out surveillance and reconnaissance around addresses associated with at least two men who worked for the Persian-language channel Iran International, which broadcasts from London and is a vocal critic of the regime in Tehran. They took photos, recorded videos, and conducted online searches regarding their targets.
"These actions were carried out on behalf of the Iranian regime against journalists and individuals perceived as hostile to the authorities in Tehran," the prosecutor told the jury.
The ultimate goal, according to the prosecution, was to subject the targets to severe violence as retribution for their criticism and to deter others from voicing similar opposition.
Defense Arguments
One of the targets named in court is Mojtaba Pourmohsen, a journalist working for Iran International. Another target was lawyer Jonathan Turner, one of the founders of the organization UK Lawyers for Israel.
The prosecution stated that there is no dispute that the defendants carried out at least some of the surveillance activities. However, their defense is expected to focus on whether they knew they were assisting Iranian intelligence services. Menesh and Nouri are expected to claim they were unaware their activities were linked to Iranian intelligence. The trial is expected to last up to six weeks.
