Seven Iranian nationals are charged with GBH after two pro-Israel protesters were attacked outside the Iran embassy in London
Seven Iranian nationals have been charged with causing grevious bodily harm (GBH) after two pro-Israel protestors were attacked outside the Iran embassy in London.
Police arrested eight people after two men were set upon outside the embassy, opposite Hyde Park, just before 10am on Friday.
The force say two men, aged 37 and 39, were taken to hospital with 'serious but non-life threatening injuries'.
They also confirmed the identities of the seven men charged with GBH, who they said all hail from Iran:
Mohammad Nadiri, 30, of Central Street, Islington
Pourrezaei Vahid, 41, of Hamlet Square, Cricklewood
Armin Hasanlov, 35, of Prescot Road, Liverpool
Esmaeil Balouchy, 50, of Brent Lea, Brentford
Saeed Hosseingholipoor, 34, of Wilkins Close, Mitcham
Farzin Suleimani, 31, of Selsey Road, Birmingham
Aref Yazdan Parast, 31, of Worton Road, Isleworth
They have all been remanded in police custody and are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday, June 23.
The eighth person arrested is the 39-year-old who remains in hospital and has been bailed.
Officers and paramedics swooped on Princes Gate, Knightsbridge, scrambling to detain suspects and treat the injured activists on Friday morning.
Witnesses told MailOnline on Friday how pro-Israeli protesters were chanting support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and calling for the Iranian regime to be toppled before violence erupted and two of the activists were attacked.
It comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, with Iran and Israel locked in a brutal conflict that has continued to escalate.
Dramatic pictures from the scene showed the protesters being treated by paramedics on stretchers and receiving oxygen, while the alleged attackers were seen being hauled away in handcuffs.
The Iranian Embassy became a focal point for protests in 2022 after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody.
After the altercation, a spokesman for the Met Police said: 'At 09:53hrs on Friday, June 20, officers responded to reports of an altercation in Princes Gate, SW1.
'Six men have been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm – they remain in police custody.
'Two men were treated for injuries at the scene and have been taken to hospital for further treatment by the London Ambulance Service.
'Police have cordoned off the area while initial investigations take place.'
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We were called at 9.56am today (June 20) to reports of an assault in Princes Gate, SW7.
'We sent a number of resources to the scene including ambulance crews, paramedics in fast response cars and our Tactical Response Unit.
'We treated two patients at the scene and took one to hospital and one to a major trauma centre.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News
33 minutes ago
- Sky News
The four questions Starmer will be asking on Iran
👉Listen to Politics at Sam and Anne's on your podcast app👈 Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to Donald Trump about the need for Iran to return to the negotiating table after Tehran's warning of "everlasting consequences" for the US bombing raid on their nuclear sites. On this episode, Sam and Anne discuss the key questions facing the UK government after the military action, including what escalation could look like and whether Britain is ready for the economic blowback. Plus, they also discuss the government's new industrial strategy, with eight industries singled out for support and a promise to help lower energy prices from 2027 for certain companies, though not for others. Sam and Anne discuss how it will be paid for.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Manhunt for £150,000 violin thief: CCTV show moment 285-year-old instrument was taken from London Philharmonia Orchestra member in pub
Police are hunting for the thief of a violin worth more than £150,000 after it was taken from a member of London 's Philharmonia Orchestra. The high-value instrument was allegedly stolen from The Marquess Tavern on Canonbury Street on the evening of February 18. CCTV released by the Metropolitan Police appears to show a male suspect wearing a pale beanie hat and light brown coat walking into the pub on his phone. He then removes his jacket to reveal black clothing underneath, and can be seen carrying a violin-sized black case as he exits the pub and strolls out onto the street. The historic instrument, understood to be 285-years-old, was made in Florence in 1740. Its owner David Lopez Ibanez, 30, considers the item 'priceless' and reported the theft to the Met the night it took place. He said he was visiting the pub with a friend after a rehearsal when his instrument was taken from the bench he was sitting on. PC Michael Collins, from the Met's local policing team in Camden, said: 'We've been working hard to try and locate the suspect and are releasing this CCTV in an effort to help identify them as soon as possible. 'The victim, who is a member of London's Philharmonia Orchestra, has told us the piece is worth more than £150,000 and was made in Florence in 1740. 'It is incredibly precious, and for the victim, it's priceless. 'Please help us find the person responsible and have the violin returned it to its rightful owner.' The Philharmonia is a world-class symphony orchestra for the 21st century, led by Principal Conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali. Located in London at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall, the Philharmonia creates classic performances for a global audience, according to its website. Days after the incident took place, owner Mr Ibanez said: 'You get taught from a very early age to take such good care of it. Nothing prepares you for having it snatched away.' Three bows were also stolen, including one with a mother-of-pearl tip, as well as a white cotton bag for the instrument made by Mr Ibanez's grandmother. Mr Ibañez said losing the precious instrument was like experiencing the death of an old friend, and fears that the thief may throw it away unaware of its emotional and monetary value Describing the moment he realised his instrument had disappeared, Mr Ibanez said: 'My life was torn apart. Your heart feels like it's going to explode.' The musician hadused it for the past eight years, but was forced to use a spare violin for a concert with the orchestra that week. Mr Ibanez said losing the instrument was like experiencing the death of an old friend. 'It's lived 300 years prior to my hands touching it. It's got its own history,' he said. 'Each hour, each performance, each challenge, you get to know each other more and you express yourself through it.' Anyone who recognises the person in the CCTV images or has any information has been urged o call 101 with the reference 01/7178074/25 or tweet the police via @MetCC.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Starmer to scrap green levies on businesses to boost economy
Sir Keir Starmer 's 10-year industrial strategy aims to boost the UK economy and transform its business landscape. A key part of the plan involves cutting electricity costs for businesses by up to 25 per cent through scrapping green levies. From 2027, over 7,000 manufacturing firms will benefit from exemptions on various levies, while 500 energy-intensive firms will see increased discounts on network charges. The strategy also includes measures to speed up connections to the energy grid and focuses on eight key growth sectors, with plans for five sectors to be published soon. The initiative seeks to address high energy costs that have hampered UK industry competitiveness and comes as the economy experienced a significant contraction in April.
