Two Iranian men deny spying on Israeli embassy in London and other Jewish targets

Two men have denied charges of spying on Jewish and Israeli targets in London, including the Israeli embassy, allegedly on behalf of Iran’s intelligence service. Nematollah Shahsavani, 41, and Alireza Farasati, 22, are charged under the National Security Act 2023 with engaging in activities likely to assist a foreign intelligence service. The prosecution alleges that the men carried out reconnaissance at several sites between July 9 and August 15 last year. The alleged targets are said to have included the Israeli embassy and consulate - a woman allegedly considered of interest to Iran - a college, and Britain’s oldest synagogue. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Both men were arrested in March and remain in custody, with both defendants having entered not guilty pleas at the Old Bailey this afternoon. Farasati appeared in the courtroom, while Shahsavani joined the hearing remotely from HMP Pentonville. Prosecutors allege that Shahsavani instructed Farasati to monitor London’s Jewish and Israeli communities and collect intelligence about them. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Two Bulgarian nationals sentenced after leering at and assaulting teenage girls Royal Navy nuclear submarine fleet can only use fire hoses against Vladimir Putin drone attack Migrants who make last-minute asylum claims to face extra scrutiny amid crackdown on deportation delayers Shahsavani, who works as a car salesman and delivery driver, is accused of acting under the direction of Iranian intelligence. The British-Iranian dual national and father of two lives in North Finchley, north London, and has been living in the UK since 2009. Meanhwhile, Farasati, an Iranian national who lives in Colindale, north-west London, came to Britain in 2021, aged 17. Judge Cheema-Grubb set a further pre-trial hearing for February 12, with the trial scheduled to begin at the Old Bailey on April 26 next year. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter