Liverpool man Vahid Aberi charged with spying for Iran
A Liverpool man has been charged with spying for Iran following an investigation by counter-terrorism police.
Vahid Aberi, 39, was arrested in the Birmingham area on Wednesday on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service.
London Counter-Terrorism Police said in a statement: “The country the investigation concerns is Iran.”
Aberi was taken to West Midlands police station and officers searched addresses in Birmingham and Liverpool.
He is currently charged with aiding a foreign intelligence service, contrary to Sections 3(1) and (9) of the National Security Act of 2023.
“We have seen a significant and sustained increase in the tempo of our work in national security investigations in recent years,” said Commander Helen Flanagan, head of London Counter Terrorism Police.
“This case is another example of where we have intervened to disrupt activities suspected to be linked to foreign intelligence services.
“Whilst we cannot comment in detail on the allegations as a man has now been charged, I would like to reassure the public that we have not identified any direct threat to them, or any threat to a community or individual, in connection with this investigation.”
Aberi was remanded in custody and will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
