Three Iranians Accused of Spying Offences

Three Iranians living in London have appeared in court accused of spying offences.

Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, of St John's Wood, north west London; Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, of Kensal Rise, north west London; and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, of Ealing, west London, appeared in custody at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday, 17th May 2025. 

The three are accused of engaging in conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service between 14 August 2024 and 16 February 2025. This is an offence under section 3 of the National Security Act 2023, which has a maximum sentence of 14 years' custody and/or an unlimited fine on conviction on indictment.

Given the nationality of the defendants, it should come as little surprise that they are accused of spying on behalf of Iran.

Frank Ferguson, Head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: "Mr Sepahvand has also been charged with engaging in conduct, namely surveillance, reconnaissance and open-source research, between 14 August 2024 and 16 February 2025, intending to commit acts, namely serious violence against a person in the United Kingdom, contrary to section 18(1)(a) of the National Security Act 2023.

"While Mr Manesh and Mr Noori have also been charged with engaging in conduct, namely surveillance and reconnaissance, with the intention that acts, namely serious violence against a person in the United Kingdom, would be committed by others, contrary to section 18(1)(b) of the National Security Act 2023.

"The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against these defendants are now active and that they have the right to a fair trial.

"It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."

Given the severity of the allegations, the three were not required to enter a plea on this occasion.

Sepahvand, Manesh and Noori were remanded in custody until their next hearing at the Central Criminal Court on Friday, 6th June 2025.

The immigration status of the defendants remains unclear.

Update (17/5/25): The Telegraph is now reporting that the three defendants arrived in the UK in the backs of lorries and on small boats (which would be illegal entry) and had been granted leave to remain.