Two men guilty of spying for Iran over plan to target journalists and lawyer
Police said the case is the first under Britain’s National Security Act for Iranian nationals and highlights a rising threat from Tehran.
- On Thursday, Mostafa Sepahvand, 41, and Farhad Javadi Manesh, 46, were found guilty at Woolwich Crown Court under Britain's National Security Act for spying on behalf of Iran's Revolutionary Guards.
- Between August 2024 and March 2025, prosecutors stated the men conducted surveillance on London-based Persian-language broadcaster Iran International, aiming to attack journalists "as retribution for their criticism of the Iranian regime."
- Using ChatGPT to research targets, Sepahvand and Manesh visited addresses to gather information; prosecutors alleged Sepahvand intended to carry out a "violent attack" against at least one individual, while Manesh assisted in planning.
- Policing Vicki Evans said the case "highlights the continuing and increasing threat to the UK from Iran," marking the first convictions under the National Security Act for such offenses.
- Although third defendant Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 57, was acquitted of all charges, Sepahvand and Manesh face sentencing next month, while Iran has repeatedly denied involvement in any spying activity.
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46 Articles
The Daily Advance
Oskaloosa HeraldLondon court finds 2 Iranian men guilty of spying for Iran
Two Iranian men have been found guilty of spying on journalists in London for Tehran. Jurors at Woolwich Crown Court convicted Mostafa Sepahvand and Farhad Javadi Manesh of assisting a foreign intelligence service. A third defendant, Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori,…
Iran pair guilty of spying on London-based journalists 'for Tehran'
Mostafa Sepahvand, 41, and Farhad Manesh, 46, carried out surveillance and reconnaissance on targets that included two journalists, a lawyer and a media production professional between August 2024 and March last year, with Sepahvand also prepared to commit physical attacks. The men had denied engaging in conduct likely to assist Iran's intelligence service but were found guilty by a jury at London's Woolwich Crown Court. A third defendant, Shapo…
UK Convicts Two Iranians of Spying for Iran
A Woolwich Crown Court jury convicted Mostafa Sepahvand and Farhad Javadi Manesh of assisting Iranian intelligence by spying on Iran International journalists. A third man was acquitted. The post UK Jury Convicts Two Iranians of Spying on Iran International Journalists appeared on Right Side News.
Two Iranians have been found guilty of spying on dissident journalists in Britain on behalf of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, a case that British police said reflected Iran's growing activity. Mostafa Sepahvand, 41, was found guilty at Woolwich Crown Court of two offences and Farhad Javadi Manesh, 46, was convicted of one offence under Britain's National Security Act. Police said the sentences marked the first time Iranian nationals had been convic…
LONDON (AP) — Two Iranian men who spyed on journalists working for a Persian station in London were found guilty Thursday of spying for Tehran.
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