Two Iranian men have been charged by counter terror police after ‘spy ring plot to target Jews in London’ was uncovered
Two Iranian men have been charged by terrorism police over an alleged espionage plot targeting Jews in London.
Nematollah Shahsavani, 40, and Alireza Farasati, 22, were charged under the National Security Law on Wednesday.
They were arrested on March 6 as part of an investigation by counter-terrorism police and will appear at Westminster magistrates’ court on Thursday.
The two were accused of having contact likely to assist a foreign intelligence service.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, CTP Senior National Coordinator, said: ‘These are extremely serious charges under the National Security Act and have emerged following a very complex investigation.
‘Since the men were arrested two weeks ago, detectives have been working around the clock to collect and evaluate evidence and we have been in close contact with our colleagues at the CPS to get to this point.
“We are fully aware that the public, and in particular the Jewish community, will be concerned, but I hope this investigation reassures them that we will not hesitate to take action if we determine there is a threat to their safety and will be relentless in pursuing those who may be responsible.”
‘Counter Terrorism Police work closely with frontline officers across the country to keep communities safe. Public concerns can be shared with local law enforcement or through national reporting tools such as: www.gov.uk/ACT.’
Counter-terrorism officers initially arrested four men with Iranian and dual British-Iranian citizenship, but two were later released without charge. Picture: Police at Watford estate
Police were seen examining the undercarriage of a vehicle at a property in Finchley (pictured)
Two people who were arrested on March 6 within the scope of the investigation were released pending trial.
Scotland Yard launched a ‘protracted’ investigation after the ‘malicious’ activities of the suspected Iranian cell aroused suspicion and a member of the Jewish community alerted the police.
The Mail understands that the cell had been under surveillance for months, but due to the escalating crisis in the Middle East, officers decided to step up arrest plans.
Just hours earlier, Europol had warned that the conflict unfolding in Iran would have ‘immediate repercussions’ in Europe, with the growing threat of terrorism, violent extremism and cyber attacks.
The suspects are not accused of any specific attack plan, but authorities believe their actions were part of a long-term plan by Tehran to target London’s Jewish community.
At the time, plainclothes police officers were seen raiding homes in Watford after forcing open the door.
Meanwhile, detectives were also seen checking the engine and undercarriage of a silver Skoda on the Finchley road in north London.
The Mail understands that the cell had been under surveillance for months, but due to the escalating crisis in the Middle East, officers decided to step up arrest plans. Picture: A car being removed from an address in Finchley, north London
The suspects are not accused of any specific attack plan, but authorities believe their actions were part of a long-term plan by Tehran to target London’s Jewish community. Picture: Police at the property in Watford
Both operations were believed to be linked to an investigation by counter-terrorism police suspected of spying on Jews in London on behalf of Iranian intelligence services.
Rabbi Herschel Gluck, president of Shomrim North and East London, said police patrols had been ‘increased’ since the start of the conflict in Iran.
He said: ‘We all know that Iran has cells in this country and has had cells here for a very long time, so this is no surprise.’
Speaking about the arrests earlier this month, Rabbi Gluck added: ‘This will certainly reduce concerns in the community.
‘We have long been aware of the danger that an attack from these cells, of which there are many in this country, would be multiplied exponentially in the situation we are in now.’
