Three Iranian nationals charged with espionage in the UK
Three Iranian nationals have been charged with espionage in the UK, police in London said on Saturday.
Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, are accused of spying for Iran between 2024 and 2025, following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service's counterterrorism unit.
The unit's commander, Dominic Murphy, said in a statement that they face "extremely serious charges, brought following a very complex and rapid investigation".
The three men - all London residents - were arrested and detained for two weeks under the National Security Act 2023, which allows police to arrest people suspected of involvement "in threat activity emanating from a foreign power".
Police added that Sepahvand was also charged with surveillance, search or reconnaissance "with the intent to commit serious violence against a person in the United Kingdom".
Manesh and Noori are charged with committing similar acts, "with the intent that serious violence be committed by others against a person in the United Kingdom".
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