A man from Croxteth is accused of offering his services to Iranian intelligence after allegedly being caught storing what he was told was a drone in an undercover operation. Vahid Aberi, of Ampulla Road, is charged with engaging in conduct intended to assist a foreign intelligence service between December 17, 2025 and July 16 this year.
Court appearance and charges
The 39-year-old dual British-Iranian national appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday by video-link from Wormwood Scrubs for a preliminary hearing before Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb. Prosecutor Joe Allman said the defendant had allegedly engaged in conduct to "materially assist" Iranian intelligence services in the UK, contrary to the National Security Act.
Mr Allman said Aberi was engaged with an "undercover role-player" after being subjected to a port stop at Stansted airport. He said: "As a further consequence, an arrangement was made whereby this defendant would carry out a number of activities which included setting up a new email address, purchasing a new phone, filling in a questionnaire and travelling to London from his home to pick up a burner phone."
Alleged drone pickup and arrest
The defendant is then alleged to have travelled to London and picked up a "burgundy container" purportedly containing a drone. Mr Allman said Aberi was arrested on July 15 and a burgundy bag was recovered from the boot of his car, the subject of role-player activities.
Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said the case would be heard by a High Court judge at Preston Crown Court. A provisional trial was set for February 15, 2027 with a plea hearing at the Old Bailey on December 4. Aberi spoke only to confirm his identity and was remanded in custody.
