UK trial of three Iranians over alleged plot to target journalists
Three men have gone on trial in London accused of spying for Iran and planning to harm journalists at a UK-based Persian news channel critical of the Tehran government. Mostafa Sepahvand, 41, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 46, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 57, deny two charges under Britain’s National Security Act.
Prosecution case
Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones told Woolwich Crown Court that the defendants conducted surveillance on at least two journalists working for Iran International, a London-based satellite channel. They visited addresses linked to the journalists, took photographs and video footage, and allegedly prepared for an attack. Their ultimate aim, the prosecutor said, was that one or more of these individuals should be exposed to serious violence, in retaliation for their criticism of the Iranian government, and to create fear and silence others.
Emlyn Jones reminded jurors of Iran’s history of targeting critics abroad, citing the 1989 fatwa against Salman Rushdie and the 2022 stabbing in New York. He said people who criticize Iran do so “at their peril”. The defendants admitted going to the locations and taking images but disputed the reasons. Javadi-Manesh and Nouri said they did not know their actions would assist Iranian intelligence, while Sepahvand claimed he was forced to act under coercion or threat. The trial continues.
