Overview
- Nematollah Shahsavani, 40, and Alireza Farasati, 22, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 19 March and were remanded in custody for a 17 April hearing at the Old Bailey.
- Both men are charged under section 3 of the National Security Act with engaging in conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service relating to Iran between 9 July and 15 August 2025.
- In court, prosecutors alleged the pair conducted reconnaissance of Jewish and Israeli-linked locations, including the Israeli embassy and a consular address, Bevis Marks Synagogue, JW3 and the Sternberg Centre, the Community Security Trust, and an address in Colchester.
- Counter Terrorism Police arrested the defendants on 6 March as part of a wider operation; two other men detained that day have been released without charge.
- Senior police and the CPS called the allegations extremely serious, urged against prejudicial reporting, and said the investigation aims to reassure the Jewish community.