A man accused of conducting "hostile reconnaissance" targeting a London-based television station known for its criticism of the Iranian government was found guilty on Wednesday of gathering information that could be used in a terrorist attack. Mohammad Hossein Doftayev, who moved from Austria to London in February, went directly to the studio of Iran International, a Persian-language channel in West London.
Prosecutors reported that Doftayev, 31, visited the Iran International office to attempt to observe security arrangements after the channel became a target following its reports on the death of Mahsa Amini while in custody in Iran and the subsequent protests last year. Prosecutor Nicholas de la Buerre told the Old Bailey in London last week that the Iranian Minister of Intelligence had declared "Iran International" a terrorist organization, and that others had surveilled the channel before Doftayev.
Doftayev denied one charge related to attempting to gather information likely to be useful to someone committing or planning a terrorist act, claiming he was "set up" to visit Iran International's office in London. He presented evidence of being defrauded along with his father of 20,000 euros.
A jury convicted Doftayev on Wednesday, and he showed no emotion at the verdict. Judge Richard Marks stated he would sentence Doftayev on Friday. Shortly after Doftayev's arrest, Iran International announced it would move its live broadcasting studios to the United States due to threats faced in the UK. The channel resumed broadcasting from London in September.
A spokesperson for Iran International said in a statement, "This trial was a reminder of the threats faced by journalists and news organizations. Journalism is under attack worldwide from those seeking to suppress media freedom." They added, "Threats will not intimidate us. Our journalists will continue to provide independent and unfiltered news that the Iranian people deserve."
The spokesperson continued, "The ruling today sends a clear message that the UK remains a bastion of free expression where threats against journalists will not be tolerated." Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police's Anti-Terrorism Unit, stated, "Doftayev never stated in favor of or who he was working for, and we could not find any other evidence of that, but we found sufficient evidence to show the jury he was there for terrorism-related activities." He added, "His actions were suspicious and brought a heavy focus on our concerns regarding threats emanating from Iran that remain directed at certain individuals and specific media organizations here in the UK."
