Nematollah Shahsavani, a dual Iranian-British national, and Alireza Farasati, an Iranian citizen, appeared in a London court on March 19, 2026, facing serious charges under the UK’s National Security Act. Prosecutors allege that between July 9 and August 15 of the previous year, the men engaged in conduct likely to assist Iran’s foreign intelligence service. The prosecution, led by lawyer Louise Attrill, stated that the defendants are suspected of conducting “hostile” surveillance targeting locations and individuals linked to the Israeli and Jewish communities. Evidence presented to the court indicated that seized devices contained a list of specific targets, suggesting a planned operation.
The alleged surveillance network encompassed significant institutions. Reports indicate targets included the Israeli embassy in London, the Israeli consulate, and Bevis Marks Synagogue, Britain’s oldest synagogue. Furthermore, the scope of the alleged surveillance extended to Jewish community centers, educational facilities such as JW3, and the Community Security Trust, an organization dedicated to advising on security for the UK’s Jewish population. The Sternberg Centre for Judaism, a hub for various Jewish institutions, was also identified as a potential surveillance site.
The arrests of Shahsavani and Farasati on March 6 were the culmination of a complex investigation. While these two individuals remain in custody, two other British-Iranian nationals arrested in connection with the same inquiry have since been released without charge.
These charges arrive amidst ongoing concerns about Iran’s alleged intelligence operations within the United Kingdom. In October, Ken McCallum, the Director-General of MI5, revealed that British security agencies had thwarted over 20 “potentially lethal Iran-backed plots” in the preceding year. For years, British parliamentarians and MI5 have consistently highlighted the threats emanating from Iran, reporting numerous arrests and foiled plots. The Iranian government has consistently refuted these allegations, asserting they are part of a disinformation campaign orchestrated by adversarial Western nations.
During the proceedings at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, neither Shahsavani nor Farasati formally entered a plea. However, Alphege Bell, the legal representative for Farasati, stated that his client intends to vigorously contest the charges. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring ordered that both defendants be remanded in custody, with their next appearance scheduled for April 17 at London’s Central Criminal Court.
