A Greek national has been charged in the United Kingdom with assisting a foreign intelligence service, believed to be Iran's, in connection with the alleged targeting of a journalist employed by Persian-language broadcaster Iran International. Ioannis Aidinidis, 46, who lives in Munich, Germany, was charged under section 3(2) of the National Security Act 2023 and was due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday.

Aidinidis was arrested on 16 May in West Sussex by detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing London, supported by Counter Terrorism Policing South East. He was detained under section 27 of the National Security Act 2023 and taken to a London police station. Warrants for further detention were obtained from Westminster Magistrates' Court, allowing him to remain in custody until 30 May, before charges were authorised following liaison with the Crown Prosecution Service.

The Metropolitan Police said the allegations relate specifically to the targeting of a UK-based journalist working for Iran International. Commander Helen Flanagan said the case may cause concern for people in the UK, particularly those working in Persian-language media [Source: Associated Press]. The Met added that the force is providing advice and security support to a number of organisations and individuals, including the specific individual and organisation linked to the investigation.

Iran International is a Persian-language media outlet that has been critical of Iran's Islamic government. The broadcaster temporarily relocated its headquarters to Washington, D.C. in February 2023 to protect the safety of journalists who had been targeted by the Iranian government, before resuming operations at a new London location months later. Iran International said it had been subject to a campaign of transnational intimidation aimed at silencing independent journalism. In April, three people were charged over an attempted arson attack on the outlet's offices in north-west London. An Islamist group with possible links to Iran, Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya, claimed responsibility for the attack, though the claim has not been substantiated.

Sources: Sky News, BBC News, Iran International, Associated Press, Yahoo News