A 39-year-old man from Liverpool has been charged with assisting Iran’s intelligence service in a case that counter-terrorism police say reflects a “significant and sustained increase” in national security investigations.
Vahid Aberi was arrested in Birmingham on Wednesday during an operation by Counter Terrorism Policing. He was taken to a police station in the West Midlands, where detectives later carried out searches at properties in both Birmingham and Liverpool as part of the investigation.
“Vahid Aberi, 39, charged with assisting Iran's intelligence service under National Security Act”
Aberi has been charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service under the National Security Act 2023, which came into force last year. He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court later.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: “We have seen a significant and sustained increase in the tempo of our work in national security investigations in recent years. This case is yet another example of where we’ve intervened to disrupt suspected activity linked to foreign intelligence services.”
Flanagan sought to reassure the public, adding: “While we can’t comment in detail around the allegations now that a man has been charged, I do want to reassure the public that we have not identified any direct threat to them nor any threat towards a community or individual in connection with this investigation.”
The arrest and charge come amid heightened concerns about foreign interference in the UK, with the National Security Act 2023 giving police and prosecutors new powers to target state threats. The legislation was passed to address espionage and foreign influence activities that fall short of traditional spying.
Aberi’s case is the latest in a series of investigations linked to Iran, whose intelligence services have been accused of targeting dissidents and journalists on British soil. The UK has repeatedly called on Tehran to cease such activities, though diplomatic channels remain open.
As Aberi prepares to appear in court, the investigation continues. Police have not disclosed further details of the alleged assistance, but the charge itself signals the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case.
