A man has been charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service today (Friday 29 May) after being arrested in Sussex.
Thr Metropolitan Police said: “A man has been charged with an offence under the National Security Act following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London.
“Ioannis Aidinidis, 46, who is a Greek national and resides in Munich, Germany, was charged on Friday 29 May with assisting a foreign intelligence service, contrary to section 3 (2) of the National Security Act, 2023.
“The country to which the allegations relate is believed to be Iran and the allegations relate to the targeting of a UK-based journalist working for Iran International.
“He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court later today (Friday 29 May).
“On Saturday 16 May, a 46-year-old man was arrested in the West Sussex area by detectives from CTP London, supported by officers from CTP South East.
“The man was arrested and detained under section 27 of the National Security Act 2023 and was taken to a London police station.
“Warrants of further detention were obtained from Westminster Magistrates’ Court allowing for his continued detention up until Saturday 30 May and, after close liaison with the Crown Prosecution Service, charges were authorised as above.
“There is not believed to be any wider threat to the public in relation to this matter.”
Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of CTP London said: “We know this may cause concern for many people here in the UK and particularly those working in Persian-language media.
“We continue to work closely with a number of organisations and individuals to provide them with advice and support around their safety and security and this includes the specific individual and organisation linked to this investigation.
“If anyone has concerns around their safety then they can contact their local police force and further advice and support can be provided.”
The Met added: More broadly, officers from CTP continue to work closely with various Persian-language media organisations as well as a number of other individuals and organisations based in the UK to provide appropriate safety and security advice and support in relation to threats projected into the UK from Iran.
“As always, we continue to ask the public to remain vigilant and report anything that doesn’t look or feel right to police by calling 0800 789321 or call 999 if it is an emergency.”
