Two Men Deny Iran-Linked Surveillance Charges in London

Two men accused of conducting surveillance on Jewish and Israeli sites across London for Iran's intelligence service have denied the allegations at the Old Bailey. Nematollah Shahsavani, 41, and Alireza Farasati, 22, face charges under the National Security Act 2023 over alleged activities intended to assist a foreign intelligence service. Prosecutors allege that the men carried out hostile reconnaissance at several locations between 9 July and 15 August last year.

The alleged targets included the Israeli embassy and consulate, a woman said to be of interest to Iran, a college, and Britain's oldest synagogue. Both defendants entered not guilty pleas during a court appearance on Friday. Farasati appeared in person, while Shahsavani attended by video link from HMP Pentonville, according to the court proceedings.

The prosecution alleges that Shahsavani instructed Farasati to monitor Jewish and Israeli communities in London and collect intelligence about them. Shahsavani was allegedly acting on instructions from Iranian intelligence.

Shahsavani, a dual British-Iranian national, works as a car salesman and delivery driver. He is a father of two from North Finchley, north London, and has lived in the United Kingdom since 2009. Farasati, an Iranian national who works as a barber, lives in Colindale, north-west London. He arrived in Britain in 2021 at the age of 17.

During earlier court proceedings, the court heard that police seized electronic devices belonging to Farasati when officers stopped him on 14 August last year. The seizure was presented as part of the case concerning the alleged surveillance activities. Both men were detained in March and remain in custody while the proceedings continue. The allegations have not been established in court, and both defendants have pleaded not guilty.

Judge Cheema-Grubb scheduled another pretrial hearing for 12 February. The full trial is due to begin at the Old Bailey on 26 April next year.