Car salesman and barber deny spying on Britain's oldest synagogue and Israeli embassy for Iran at Old Bailey

From the Newshound archive · first published 9 October 2026 · last updated 10 October 2026.

Nematollah Shahsavani, 41, a dual British-Iranian national, and Alireza Farasati, 22, an Iranian national, pleaded not guilty at the Old Bailey on Friday to conducting hostile surveillance on Jewish and Israeli targets across London on behalf of Iranian intelligence. Prosecutors allege the pair carried out reconnaissance between July and August 2025 at locations including the Israeli embassy, a Jewish community centre, and Britain's oldest synagogue. The UK government summoned Iran's ambassador after the pair were charged in March. A three-week trial is due to begin at the Old Bailey on 26 April 2027.

Shahsavani, a car salesman and delivery driver from North Finchley, allegedly directed Farasati — a barber — to gather the intelligence on Iran's orders.

Police seized electronic devices from Farasati when he was stopped on 14 August 2025; both men have been held in custody since their arrest in March 2026.

British counterterrorism police described the allegations as 'extremely serious' when charges were first brought.