Two men accused of conducting surveillance on Israeli and Jewish targets in London on behalf of Iran have entered not guilty pleas at the Old Bailey.
Key facts
- •Nematollah Shahsavani is a 41-year-old dual Iranian-British national, while Alireza Farasati is a 22-year-old Iranian national.
- •The defendants face charges under the National Security Act for activities allegedly conducted in July and August 2025.
- •Following the charges in March, the British Foreign Office summoned the Iranian ambassador to the UK.
- •The defendants are scheduled for a court appearance in February before their trial begins in April.
- •British authorities state that hostile activity in the UK has increased since the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel.
Nematollah Shahsavani, 41, and Alireza Farasati, 22, appeared at London's Old Bailey court on Friday to face charges under the National Security Act. Both men pleaded not guilty to allegations that they conducted hostile surveillance on behalf of Iranian intelligence services. The defendants, who were charged in March, are currently remanded in custody ahead of a trial scheduled to begin in April.
Alleged Surveillance Targets
Prosecutors allege that the pair performed reconnaissance and gathered information between July and August 2025. The list of targets identified in court included the Israeli Embassy, the Israeli Consulate, and London's Bevis Marks Synagogue, which is Britain's oldest synagogue. Judge Bobbie Cheema-Grubb noted that the surveillance also allegedly targeted an unnamed individual deemed to be of intelligence interest to Iran.
Broader Context and Denials
The case is part of a series of separate legal proceedings involving individuals charged with acting on behalf of Iran within Britain. British authorities have reported a marked increase in hostile activity since the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel. In a separate incident, Britain accused Iran of involvement in a plot targeting the US-linked RAF Fairford military base, a claim Iran has denied. The Iranian government has consistently denied any involvement in hostile activities in the UK, including the alleged surveillance of Israeli and Jewish targets.
Timeline
- October 2023Hamas attacks on Israel occur, which authorities say triggered an increase in hostile activity in Britain.
- March 2025The two defendants are charged, and the British Foreign Office summons the Iranian ambassador.
- July and August 2025The defendants allegedly conduct reconnaissance and gather information on targets.
- October 9, 2025The defendants appear at the Old Bailey and plead not guilty to charges under the National Security Act.
- February 2026The defendants are scheduled for their next court appearance.
- April 2026The trial for the two defendants is scheduled to begin.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Straits Times World, Cyprus Mail, Jerusalem Post.
