Two men accused of carrying out hostile surveillance on London's Jewish community on behalf of Iran have made their first court appearance. Nematollah Shahsavani, 40, and Alireza Farasati, 22, are facing serious charges under the National Security Act 2023 for allegedly spying on key Israeli and Jewish locations in the capital.
Details of the Alleged Surveillance Operation
The prosecution, led by Louise Attrill, asserts that the defendants engaged in conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service between July 9 and August 15 of last year. They are suspected of assisting Iranian intelligence by conducting hostile surveillance of locations and individuals linked to the Israeli and Jewish community.
Targets of the Alleged Espionage
The alleged surveillance targets included multiple high-profile sites:
- The Israeli Embassy in London
- The Israeli Consulate
- Bevis Marks Synagogue, one of London's oldest and most significant Jewish places of worship
- A Jewish community centre
- The Community Security Trust, a charity that provides security advice to the Jewish community
Additionally, a woman living in the UK who has been accused of being a Mossad agent is also alleged to have been targeted in this operation.
Court Proceedings and Defendant Backgrounds
Both defendants appeared in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday, March 19, 2026. They did not enter a plea to the single charge and were remanded in custody ahead of their next hearing scheduled for April 17 at the Old Bailey.
During the proceedings, Shahsavani, wearing a blue puffa jacket, was seen blowing a kiss toward the public gallery as he was led away to the cells. The prosecution alleges that Shahsavani tasked Farasati with conducting surveillance activity against Israeli and Jewish sites and possible targets linked to the Iranian intelligence service.
Backgrounds of the Accused
Nematollah Shahsavani, a delivery driver and father of two from North Finchley in north London, is a dual Iranian and British national who has lived in the UK since 2009. Alireza Farasati, a trained barber from Colindale in northwest London, is an Iranian national who moved to the UK as a 17-year-old in 2021.
Legal Framework and Charges
The charges stem from the National Security Act 2023, which criminalizes activities that assist foreign intelligence services. The prosecution claims the pair gathered information and undertook reconnaissance of targets when they knew or ought to have known their conduct was likely to materially assist a foreign intelligence service.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about foreign intelligence operations targeting diaspora communities in the UK and the sophisticated surveillance methods employed against religious and diplomatic institutions. The proceedings will continue to develop as more evidence is presented in the coming weeks.
