UK charges three Iranians with espionage
Three men arrested earlier this month in what police called a “very complex and fast-moving investigation” were charged with spying for Iran. A fourth suspect was released without charge.Law and JusticeUnited Kingdom
All of the men were arrested in early May
Three Iranian nationals have been charged with suspected espionage for Iran’s intelligence services, UK police said on Saturday.
The three were all arrested on May 3 in London, with the Metropolitan police calling it “a very complex and fast-moving investigation.”
They are due to appear in a London court later on Saturday, with the offences allegedly having taken place
The three suspects, all with addresses in London, were charged with “engaging in conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service between 14 August 2024 and 16 February 2025,” the police said in a statement. “The foreign state to which the charges relate is Iran.”
The arrests came amid heightened concerns about Iranian activities on UK soil.
“These are extremely serious charges under the National Security Act, which have come about following what has been a very complex and fast-moving investigation,” said Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter-Terrorism command.Law and JusticeUnited Kingdom
