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Three Iranian former asylum seekers who were granted leave to remain in the UK are facing serious charges of spying for Tehran, raising significant national security concerns. Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, all residents of London, appeared at Westminster magistrates' court accused of engaging in conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service between August 14 last year and February 16 this year. The charges follow an investigation by counter-terrorism police, and the men were flanked by eight prison officers during their court appearance.
The specific charges against the individuals reveal the alleged nature of their activities. Mr. Sepahvand, residing in St John’s Wood, is accused of "surveillance, reconnaissance and open-source research" with the alleged intention of "committing serious violence against a person in the UK." Mr. Manesh, from Kensal Rise, and Mr. Noori, from Ealing, face the same charge but with the intention that violence "would be committed by others." During the brief court hearing, both Mr. Sepahvand and Mr. Noori used a Farsi interpreter to confirm their personal details.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper reacted strongly to the charges, stating that the government would strengthen national security powers in response to what she described as "very serious wider issues." She explicitly named Iran as the foreign state involved and asserted that "Iran must be held to account for its actions." Ms. Cooper emphasized the government's commitment to protecting national security and announced the upcoming publication of a review into the application of the counter-terrorism framework to modern-day state threats. She also commended the police and security services for their work in the investigation.
The court heard that the three defendants had arrived in the UK at different times and under varying circumstances before seeking asylum. Mr. Sepahvand arrived in 2016 concealed in a lorry and claimed fears for his safety in Iran. Mr. Manesh arrived by boat in December 2019 and sought refugee status on religious grounds. Mr. Noori's first recorded contact with UK authorities was in September 2022, when he applied for asylum. All three have been remanded in custody and are scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey next month. Defence counsels for both Mr. Sepahvand and Mr. Noori indicated their clients would deny the charges.
District Judge Annabel Pilling informed the defendants that a trial before a judge and jury would occur if they plead not guilty, with a preliminary hearing set for June 6 before Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb.
The arrests of these three men coincided with a separate investigation that saw five other Iranians arrested on the same day. These individuals were detained on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act under the Terrorism Act 2006. Four of these individuals remain in custody, while the fifth was bailed with conditions.
Dominic Murphy, the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism commander, described the charges against the three asylum seekers as "extremely serious" and urged the public to refrain from speculation to allow the criminal justice process to proceed without prejudice. A fourth man arrested as part of the same investigation was later released without charge. This case underscores the complex challenges faced by security services in navigating national security concerns within the asylum system.
