Two men have been charged with spying for Iran after allegedly surveilling Jewish community sites in London, the Metropolitan Police said. Nematollah Shahsavani, 40, a dual Iranian and British national, and Alireza Farasati, 22, an Iranian national, face charges under the National Security Act for engaging in contact likely to assist a foreign intelligence service between 9 July and 15 August last year.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed that the charges relate to Iran. The men were arrested and detained on 6 March as part of an investigation into alleged surveillance of locations and individuals linked to the Jewish community in the London area. Shahsavani, of North Finchley, and Farasati, of Edgware, are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday.
Frank Ferguson, head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter-Terrorism Division, said: 'We have decided to prosecute two men for an offence under the National Security Act. The charge relates to carrying out activities in the UK such as gathering information and undertaking reconnaissance of targets. The country to which the charge relates is Iran.' He reminded the public that the defendants have the right to a fair trial and urged against any reporting that could prejudice proceedings.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said: 'These are extremely serious charges under the National Security Act, which have come about following what has been a very complex investigation. We fully recognise that the public – and in particular the Jewish community – will be concerned but I hope this investigation reassures them that we will not hesitate to take action if we identify there may be a threat to their safety.'
Two other men arrested on 6 March as part of the investigation have been released without charge.
