A Liverpool man is facing charges over alleged spying links to Iran.
Vahid Aberi appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday (July 17) in connection with assisting a foreign intelligence service related to the state.
The 39-year-old stands accused of engaging in conduct between December 17, 2025 and July 16, 2026 to assist Iran in carrying out UK-related activities.
He allegedly offered skills to a contact believed to represent the Iranian authorities, picking up a phone and identifying possible storage locations.
Aberi, who is a dual British/Iranian national, was arrested in Birmingham on Wednesday following an investigation by UK Counter Terrorism Policing.
Searches were conducted at properties in Birmigham and Liverpool while Aberi was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on August 21.
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.
“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.”