March 18 (Reuters) - British prosecutors said on Wednesday they have charged two men with engaging in contact that is likely to assist a foreign intelligence service, following a counter-terrorism
Two men appear in UK court accused of spying on Israeli embassy for Iran
Alleged Iranian Espionage Activities in the UK
By Michael Holden
Details of the Court Appearance
LONDON, March 19 (Reuters) - Two men appeared in a London court on Thursday accused of being tasked by Iran to carry out hostile surveillance on the Israeli Embassy, Britain's oldest synagogue and other Jewish targets.
Accused Individuals and Charges
Nematollah Shahsavani, 40, a dual Iranian-British national, and Alireza Farasati, an Iranian national, 22, are accused of being involved in gathering information and undertaking reconnaissance of targets given to them by Iranian spy services over five weeks last summer.
As such, the alleged activities pre-dated the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran which began on February 28.
Prosecution Evidence and Target List
Prosecutor Louise Attrill told London's Westminster Magistrates Court that devices seized from the two men had contained a list of targets.
Specific Targets Identified
These included the Israeli Embassy, the Israeli Consulate, London's Bevis Marks Synagogue, a Jewish community centre, and the Community Security Trust, a charity which provides security advice for the country's Jews.
Alleged Instructions and Surveillance Activities
Attrill said the evidence suggested Shahsavani, who had travelled to Iran last April and was stopped under counter-terrorism powers when he returned to Britain in August, had been given instructions by Iranian intelligence services, and he had tasked Farasati to carry out the surveillance.
Court Proceedings and Legal Responses
The men did not enter a plea and were remanded in custody until their next hearing at London's Old Bailey Court on April 17. Farasati's lawyer Alphege Bell said his client was "no religious fanatic".
Context: Iranian Threats and Community Response
Background on Iranian Activities in the UK
British lawmakers and the domestic spy agency MI5 have long warned of threats posed by Iran, with accusations that Tehran was behind more than 20 suspected kidnap and assassination plots.
Iran has repeatedly denied such accusations, saying they are part of a campaign against it by hostile Western powers.
Police Reassurance to Jewish Communities
Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator of Britain's counter-terrorism police, said she hoped the investigation would reassure Jewish communities that police would act on any threats to their safety.
(Reporting by Michael Holden and Sarah Young in London and Rajveer Singh Pardesi in Bengaluru; Editing by Kate Holton and Gareth Jones)
