US EditionTwo Men Charged Under National Security Act for Spying on London Jewish Community
Two men charged under the National Security Act for surveillance on Jewish sites in London to aid Iranian intelligence, with alleged activities from July to August 2025.
- On March 19, 2026, prosecutors charged Nematollah Shahsavani, 40, and Alireza Farasati, 22, under the National Security Act in London for suspected spying activities between July 9 and August 15 last year.
- Prosecutors say the alleged activity aimed to assist Iran between 9 July 2025 and 15 August 2025, with arrests on March 6, 2026 after months of investigation.
- Prosecutors told the court that devices seized from the men contained a list of targets, including the Israeli Embassy and Consulate in London, JW3 community centre, and Bevis Marks Synagogue, and said Shahsavani travelled to Iran and tasked Farasati with surveillance.
- Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, Senior National Coordinator for CTP, said: 'These are extremely serious charges under the National Security Act, which have come about following a very complex investigation,' and the men have been held since their March 6 arrest, with a next appearance at the Old Bailey scheduled for April 17.
- Analysts say the arrests highlight the ongoing challenge of countering foreign espionage, including cyber and recruitment tactics, with officials tracking 'more than 20' suspected Iran-linked plots last year.
54 Articles
54 Articles
2 Iranians Conducted Hostile Surveillance of Israeli Embassy, Synagogues, UK Court Told
Two men accused of spying for Iran carried out hostile surveillance on targets in Britain’s Jewish community, as well as the Israeli embassy in London, a court was told on March 19. Nematollah Shahsavani, 40, and Alireza Farasati, 22, have been charged with engaging in conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service between July 9, 2025 and Aug. 15, 2025. Prosecutor Louise Attrill told Westminster Magistrates Court, “The two defendants a…
Two men charged with 'hostile surveillance' of London Jewish and Israeli sites
Two Iranian men appeared in court on Thursday, accused of assisting Iranian intelligence by conducting reconnaissance of locations around London, including synagogues, the Israeli embassy and a Jewish school
Two Men Appear in UK Court Accused of Spying on Israeli Embassy, Jewish Targets for Iran
Director General of MI5 Ken McCallum delivers the annual Director General’s Speech at Thames House, the headquarters of the UK’s Security Service, in London, Britain, Oct. 16, 2025. Photo: Jonathan Brady/Pool via REUTERS Two men appeared in a London court on Thursday accused of being tasked by Iran to carry out hostile surveillance on the Israeli Embassy, Britain’s oldest synagogue, and other Jewish targets. Nematollah Shahsavani, 40, a dual Ira…
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