Two men accused of spying on Israeli embassy for Iran deny National Security Act charge

Two men accused of spying for Iran have pleaded not guilty to a charge under the National Security Act.

Car salesman Nematollah Shahsavani, 41, and barber Alireza Farasati, 23, are facing trial accused of engaging in conduct likely to assist the Iranian foreign intelligence service between 9 July 2025 and 15 August last year.

The pair are accused of carrying out "hostile reconnaissance" against the Israeli and Jewish communities in the UK.

Their activities are alleged to have included "gathering information and undertaking reconnaissance" on targets including the Israeli embassy and consulate, Britain's oldest synagogue in London and other Jewish organisations.

A woman living in the UK, said to be of intelligence interest to Iran, is also alleged to have been targeted.

Shahsavani, a father of two, of North Finchley, north London, is a dual Iranian and British national and has lived in the UK since 2009.

Farasati, of Colindale, north-west London, is an Iranian national who moved to the UK as a 17-year-old in 2021.

The pair appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday to enter not guilty pleas to a single charge under the National Security Act.

Shahsavani appeared by video-link from Pentonville prison wearing a white T-shirt, while Farasati wore a dark suit and blue tie in the dock.

The judge, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, remanded them in custody ahead of a three-week trial at the same court from 26 April 2027.

They will next appear in court for a pre-trial hearing on 12 February next year.

(c) Sky News 2026: Two men accused of spying on Israeli embassy for Iran deny National Security Act charge