Two charged under security law over Iran spying on Jews

Two men have been charged under the UK’s National Security Act following a Counter Terrorism Policing investigation into alleged reconnaissance of people and places linked to London’s Jewish community. BBC News names them as Nematollah Shahsavani, 40, of North Finchley, and Alireza Farasati, 22, of Edgware. They are due at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 19 March 2026. Two other men arrested alongside them were released without charge, BBC reports.

Police had earlier confirmed they were investigating suspected surveillance connected to the Jewish community in the capital, an area of work that Counter Terrorism Policing describes as part of its core mission to protect the public from state threats as well as terrorism. Recent arrests on 6 March were made under the National Security Act on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service. (news.met.police.uk)

Officers have stressed that cases like this are “extremely serious” and that communities should keep reporting concerns. Detectives were granted extra time by a judge to question suspects arrested on 6 March, highlighting how scrutiny is balanced with due process in state‑threat investigations. (theguardian.com)

Quick explainer: the National Security Act 2023 updated the UK’s state‑threat laws. It targets espionage, foreign interference and sabotage, and gives police specific tools to deal with activity linked to hostile states. Large parts of the Act took effect on 20 December 2023, replacing older Official Secrets legislation in key areas. (gov.uk)

One offence you’ll hear about in this case is assisting a foreign intelligence service (Section 3). In plain terms, it makes it illegal to engage in conduct intended to-or likely to-materially help a foreign intelligence service carry out UK‑related activities. The maximum sentence for this offence is 14 years. (legislation.gov.uk)

How charging works: the police investigate and present evidence; the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decides whether to charge, using the Code for Crown Prosecutors. That decision must meet the Full Code Test: enough evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that prosecution is in the public interest. (cps.gov.uk)

What “reconnaissance” usually means in policing terms: gathering information about a location or person to plan an attack. Guidance from ProtectUK notes that not all photography in public is illegal, but patterns of suspicious behaviour should be reported. This is why officers ask communities to stay alert and share concerns early. (protectuk.police.uk)

Context for readers and classrooms: the Community Security Trust (CST) recorded 3,700 antisemitic incidents across the UK in 2025-higher than 2024 and still well above pre‑2023 levels. CST and news outlets say incidents remained above 200 every month in 2025, reflecting persistent anxiety for Jewish communities. (cst.org.uk)

What happens next if a case proceeds: first appearances at Westminster Magistrates’ Court are typically brief, covering identity, the basic outline of the allegations and initial decisions on bail. Serious state‑threat cases are usually sent to the Crown Court for later hearings. The defendants are presumed innocent unless proved guilty.

If you’re worried about safety near a school, synagogue or community venue, report concerns. For immediate risks call 999. To share non‑urgent information confidentially, the UK Anti‑Terrorist Hotline is 0800 789 321; MI5 also signposts this route for state‑threat concerns. Small details-times, places, descriptions-can help police assess risk. (gov.uk)