Man Living in Ealing Faces Terrorism Charges
Iranian national accused of targeting anti-regime TV channel
May 18, 2025
A 55-year-old man, currently residing in Ealing, is one of three people who have been changed in connection with a counter-terrorism investigation.
Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori appeared in Westminster Magistrates’ Court this Saturday (17 April) accused of offences under the National Security Act.
Met police say the three were charged for allegedly assisting Iranian foreign intelligence service.
It is believed that there was a plot to target the offices of Iran International TV, a Saudi-funded broadcaster opposed to the Tehran regime, which is based in the borough of Ealing. There had been a number of earlier attempts to attack its offices and staff when it had formerly been based in Chiswick Business Park.
Noori appeared in court alongside Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, of St John’s Wood and Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, of Kensal Rise. The trio gave their names, dates of birth and address speaking through a Farsi interpreter. Noori was observed hobbling as he entered the dock. None of the accused entered a plea.
All three men are understood to have enter the country by irregular means between 2016 and 2022.
The charges to relate to actions between 14 August 2024 and 16 February 2025 and the men were arrested on Saturday 3 May.
Another man, arrested on Friday 9 May under the National Security Act, was released without charge.
The three men were remanded into custody and will appear for a preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey on 6 June.
Commander Dominic Murphy, from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said, “These are extremely serious charges under the National Security Act, which have come about following what has been a very complex and fast-moving investigation.
"Since the men were arrested two weeks ago, detectives have been working around the clock and we have worked closely with colleagues in the CPS to reach this point. We have been in contact with the individuals directly affected, and we continue to provide them with support.
"Now that these men have been charged, I would urge people not to speculate about this case, so that the criminal justice process can run its course.”
Frank Ferguson, Head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said, “Following a review of the evidence provided by the Metropolitan Police Service’s Counter Terrorism Command, we have authorised criminal charges against three Iranian nationals.
“Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, have been charged with engaging in conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service between 14 August 2024 and 16 February 2025, contrary to Section 3 of the National Security Act 2023.
“Mr Sepahvand has also been charged with engaging in conduct, namely surveillance, reconnaissance and open-source research, between 14 August 2024 and 16 February 2025, intending to commit acts, namely serious violence against a person in the United Kingdom, contrary to Section 18(1)(a) of the National Security Act 2023.
“While Mr Manesh and Mr Noori have also been charged with engaging in conduct, namely surveillance and reconnaissance, with the intention that acts, namely serious violence against a person in the United Kingdom, would be committed by others, contrary to Section 18(1)(b) of the National Security Act 2023.”
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