Latest news with #Firs
South Wales Guardian
17-05-2025
- South Wales Guardian
Three Iranian men charged with spying offences under National Security Act
Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, of St John's Wood, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, of Kensal Rise, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, of Ealing, have been remanded in custody and are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday. They were arrested and detained on May 3 under Section 27 of the National Security Act and all three were charged with engaging in conduct likely to assist the Iranian foreign intelligence service between August 14 2024 and February 16 2025. Sepahvand was also charged with engaging in surveillance, reconnaissance and open-source research, intending to commit acts, namely serious violence against a person in the UK. Manesh and Noori have also been charged with engaging in surveillance and reconnaissance, with the intention that acts, namely serious violence against a person in the UK, would be committed by others. Commander Dominic Murphy, from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, said: 'These are extremely serious charges under the National Security Act, which have come about following what has been a very complex and fast-moving investigation. 'Since the men were arrested two weeks ago, detectives have been working around the clock and we have worked closely with colleagues in the CPS to reach this point. We have been in contact with the individuals directly affected and we continue to provide them with support. 'Now that these men have been charged I would urge people not to speculate about this case, so that the criminal justice process can run its course.' On May 9, a fourth man, aged 31, was also arrested as part of the investigation and detained under Section 27 of the National Security Act 2023. He was released without charge on Thursday. Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service special crime and counter terrorism division, said: 'Following a review of the evidence provided by the Metropolitan Police Service's Counter Terrorism Command, we have authorised criminal charges against three Iranian nationals. 'The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against these defendants are now active and that they have the right to a fair trial. 'It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.' The three men were arrested on May 3 and warrants of further detention were granted on May 9. Under section 27 of the National Security Act, officers can arrest without a warrant anyone they suspect is 'involved in foreign power threat activity'. Security minister Dan Jarvis told the Commons on May 6: 'I can confirm to the House that these are the first Iranian nationals arrested under the National Security Act.' Iran was the first foreign power to be listed on the top level of the foreign influence registration scheme (Firs) earlier this year, aimed at protecting the UK from malign foreign influence. It means anyone who is directed by the regime to carry out activities in the UK must declare it or face five years in prison once the scheme comes into force in July.
South Wales Argus
17-05-2025
- South Wales Argus
Three Iranian men charged with spying offences under National Security Act
Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, of St John's Wood, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, of Kensal Rise, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, of Ealing, have been remanded in custody and are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday. They were arrested and detained on May 3 under Section 27 of the National Security Act and all three were charged with engaging in conduct likely to assist the Iranian foreign intelligence service between August 14 2024 and February 16 2025. Sepahvand was also charged with engaging in surveillance, reconnaissance and open-source research, intending to commit acts, namely serious violence against a person in the UK. Manesh and Noori have also been charged with engaging in surveillance and reconnaissance, with the intention that acts, namely serious violence against a person in the UK, would be committed by others. Commander Dominic Murphy, from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, said: 'These are extremely serious charges under the National Security Act, which have come about following what has been a very complex and fast-moving investigation. 'Since the men were arrested two weeks ago, detectives have been working around the clock and we have worked closely with colleagues in the CPS to reach this point. We have been in contact with the individuals directly affected and we continue to provide them with support. 'Now that these men have been charged I would urge people not to speculate about this case, so that the criminal justice process can run its course.' On May 9, a fourth man, aged 31, was also arrested as part of the investigation and detained under Section 27 of the National Security Act 2023. He was released without charge on Thursday. The three men were appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday (Nick Ansell/PA) Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service special crime and counter terrorism division, said: 'Following a review of the evidence provided by the Metropolitan Police Service's Counter Terrorism Command, we have authorised criminal charges against three Iranian nationals. 'The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against these defendants are now active and that they have the right to a fair trial. 'It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.' The three men were arrested on May 3 and warrants of further detention were granted on May 9. Under section 27 of the National Security Act, officers can arrest without a warrant anyone they suspect is 'involved in foreign power threat activity'. Security minister Dan Jarvis told the Commons on May 6: 'I can confirm to the House that these are the first Iranian nationals arrested under the National Security Act.' Iran was the first foreign power to be listed on the top level of the foreign influence registration scheme (Firs) earlier this year, aimed at protecting the UK from malign foreign influence. It means anyone who is directed by the regime to carry out activities in the UK must declare it or face five years in prison once the scheme comes into force in July.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fourth Iranian man arrested in London terror probe
A fourth Iranian man has been arrested as part of a counter-terrorism investigation in London. The Metropolitan Police said the 31-year-old was detained in north-west London on Friday morning under the National Security Act. Three other men - all from Iran and aged 39, 44 and 55 - were arrested in London on 3 May as part of the investigation. Police have obtained warrants to hold those three men until 17 May. The investigation is separate to one involving an alleged plot to target the Israeli embassy in London, for which four other Iranian men are still being questioned, while a fifth has been released on bail. Police said searches were carried out at two addresses in north-west London on Friday. All four men have been detained under section 27 of the National Security Act 2023, which authorises police to detain those suspected of "foreign power threat activity". On Tuesday, Home Office minister Dan Jarvis described the two separate investigations as "some of the largest counter-state threats and counter-terrorism actions that we have seen in recent times". He also confirmed the men were the "first Iranian nationals arrested under the National Security Act". Iran was the first country to be listed at the top level of the foreign influence registration scheme (Firs), which aims to protect the UK from malign foreign influence. Anyone who is directed by the regime to carry out activities in the UK must declare it or face five years in prison once it comes into effect in July. Investigations ongoing over alleged terror plot, says minister
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fourth Iranian man arrested in London terror probe
A fourth Iranian man has been arrested as part of a counter-terrorism investigation in London. The Metropolitan Police said the 31-year-old was detained in north-west London on Friday morning under the National Security Act. Three other men - all from Iran and aged 39, 44 and 55 - were arrested in London on 3 May as part of the investigation. Police have obtained warrants to hold those three men until 17 May. The investigation is separate to one involving an alleged plot to target the Israeli embassy in London, for which four other Iranian men are still being questioned, while a fifth has been released on bail. Police said searches were carried out at two addresses in north-west London on Friday. All four men have been detained under section 27 of the National Security Act 2023, which authorises police to detain those suspected of "foreign power threat activity". On Tuesday, Home Office minister Dan Jarvis described the two separate investigations as "some of the largest counter-state threats and counter-terrorism actions that we have seen in recent times". He also confirmed the men were the "first Iranian nationals arrested under the National Security Act". Iran was the first country to be listed at the top level of the foreign influence registration scheme (Firs), which aims to protect the UK from malign foreign influence. Anyone who is directed by the regime to carry out activities in the UK must declare it or face five years in prison once it comes into effect in July. Investigations ongoing over alleged terror plot, says minister
The National
08-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Five Iranian men arrested over alleged plot to target Israeli embassy
They were arrested at locations across England on Saturday after a suspected plot 'to target a single premises' was uncovered, the Metropolitan Police said. The embassy in Kensington, west London, is understood to have been the target of the alleged plot, according to The Times and other press outlets, but police declined to share further details. Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met's counter-terrorism command, said: 'There are significant operational reasons why we cannot provide further information at this time. READ MORE: Scottish Power loaned £600m to build offshore cables carrying wind power to England 'As soon as possible we will look to share further details and in the meantime we would ask the public to remain vigilant and contact us if you have any concerns.' The five arrested were a 29-year-old man in the Swindon area, a 46-year-old man in west London, a 29-year-old man in the Stockport area, a 40-year-old man in the Rochdale area and a 24-year-old man in the Manchester area. The first four men were arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act, contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006, and the fifth was detained under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act. Warrants of further detention were secured on Monday for four of the men, with the 24-year-old released on bail with conditions to a date in May. Another three Iranian men were arrested on Saturday at three addresses in London as part of a separate counter-terrorism operation under section 27 of the National Security Act 2023. Security minister Dan Jarvis told the Commons on Tuesday the two operations that took place were some of the 'largest counter state threats and counter-terrorism actions we have seen in recent times'. Iran was the first foreign power to be listed on the top level of the foreign influence registration scheme (Firs) earlier this year, aimed at protecting the UK from malign foreign influence. It means anyone who is directed by the regime to carry out activities in the UK must declare it or face five years in prison once the scheme comes into force in July. In October last year, the head of MI5, Ken McCallum, said authorities had stopped 20 state-backed plots hatched by Iran in the UK since 2022. Iran has 'categorically' denied any involvement after the five Iranian men were arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. In a post on X, Iranian foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said: 'Iran in no uncertain terms categorically rejects any involvement in such actions and confirms that we have not been informed of any allegations via proper diplomatic channels. READ MORE: Donald Trump expected to announce US-UK trade deal 'Iran has urged the UK to engage so that we may assist any probe into credible allegations. Timing and lack of engagement suggest that something is amiss.' Araghchi said there had been a 'history of third parties bent on derailing diplomacy' and 'provoking escalation resorting to desperate measures, including false flag operations'. 'Iran stands ready to engage to shed light on what has truly transpired, and we reiterate that UK authorities should afford our citizens due process,' he said.
