Man who blamed Iran exile Reza Pahlavi for cousin's death set fire to his photo at Golders Green memorial wall

Ali Fallahi, 46, from Ilford, pleaded guilty to arson after setting fire to a photograph of exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi at a memorial wall in Golders Green on 27 April. The blaze was quickly extinguished before it could spread to the wall, which commemorates thousands of protesters killed in Iran and victims of the 7 October Nova music festival massacre. Fallahi's sentencing at Harrow Crown Court was adjourned after he requested a change of solicitor.

Counter-terrorism police launched an investigation after the fire broke out at 12.15am in a Jewish area of north London.

Fallahi said Pahlavi — 65 years old and based in the US — had been 'brave' in making calls 'from a safe country' while his cousin died, yet continued to urge Iranians to take to the streets.

The prosecution said there is 'no information to contradict' Fallahi's personal motive, but allege he intended to damage the memorial cabinet as well as the photograph.