Iranian asylum seekers charged with spying, targeting U.K. journalists

Three Iranian asylum seekers face charges under the UK’s National Security Act for targeting journalists at Iran International, a London-based organization. The men, Mostafa Sepahvand, Farhad Javadi Manesh, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, appeared in court on Saturday. Sepahvand is also accused of planning serious violence against a person in the UK. The trio, who are London residents seeking asylum, were arrested on May 3 for allegedly aiding a foreign intelligence service. They are accused of surveilling and targeting journalists for Iran International. The men, who entered the UK between 2016 and 2022, each obtained temporary asylum upon arrival. They did not enter pleas during the recent court appearance and are scheduled for another hearing on June 6 at the Old Bailey Central Criminal Court in London.