A British court found two Iranian nationals guilty of conducting espionage operations targeting individuals critical of the Iranian government. Mostafa Sepahvand, 41, and Farhad Javadi Manesh, 46, were convicted following a trial at Woolwich Crown Court in south London. The charges related to gathering intelligence in a manner likely to assist Iran’s intelligence service and potentially facilitate violence against targets in the UK.
Among those subjected to surveillance were journalists working for Iran International, a broadcaster banned by the Iranian government, as well as a founding member of UK Lawyers for Israel. A third defendant, Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, was acquitted of all charges. Prosecutors indicated the defendants had been offered financial incentives to transmit intelligence to Iran, with one defendant allegedly willing to escalate activities to include violent action against at least one target.
The case represents the fourth recent prosecution in Britain involving direct threats to Iranian journalists operating in the country. Authorities characterized the surveillance activities as methodical, involving visits to addresses associated with targets, photography and videography, and online research using digital tools. Law enforcement officials stated they are intensifying efforts to protect vulnerable individuals from hostile state activities.
Sentencing for the two convicted men is scheduled for December 17 at the Old Bailey. UK law enforcement attributed the escalation in such cases to increased capabilities and adaptation by hostile states employing intermediaries to conduct operations within British territory.
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