Alleged Iranian spies planned ‘serious violence’ against UK journalists, court hears

Court artist sketch of (left to right) Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, Mostafa Sepahvand and Farhad Javadi Manesh appearing by videolink at the Old Bailey in March. Composite: PA

Three alleged Iranian spies carried out surveillance and reconnaissance to target journalists in the UK as part of a plan to commit “serious violence”, a court heard on Tuesday.

Mostafa Sepahvand, 41, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 46, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 57, are charged with offences under the National Security Act.