Man charged with assisting Iran's intelligence service

A 39-year-old man has been charged with assisting Iran's intelligence service, following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing. Vahid Aberi, from Liverpool, was arrested in Birmingham on Wednesday. Detectives subsequently searched properties in Birmingham and Liverpool as part of their ongoing investigation. Aberi has been formally charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service under the National Security Act 2023. He is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court. Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, highlighted a significant increase in national security investigations in recent years. She stated this case exemplifies their efforts to disrupt suspected activities linked to foreign intelligence services. Flanagan reassured the public that no direct threat to them, or any specific community or individual, has been identified in connection with this investigation, despite the serious nature of the allegations.

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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.