Espionage

Two men found guilty of spying for Iran on journalists and a lawyer in the UK

Two Iranian men were found guilty at Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday of assisting a foreign intelligence service, after prosecutors said they carried out surveillance on journalists working for the London-based broadcaster Iran International and on a lawyer, on behalf of Iran's Revolutionary Guards. Mostafa Sepahvand, 41, was also convicted of preparatory conduct — the court heard he intended a violent attack on at least one target and asked for £150,000 to 'finish off' a target. Farhad Javadi Manesh, 46, was acquitted of the preparatory charge. A third man, Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 57, was acquitted of all charges. Sentencing is at the Old Bailey on 17 December.