UK convicts Iran-linked terror suspect of spying on anti-regime channel

A man accused of carrying out "hostile reconnaissance" against a London-based television station critical of Iran's government was on Wednesday convicted of collecting information which could be used in a terrorist attack on the channel.

Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev flew from Austria to London in February, before going straight to the Persian-language Iran International channel's headquarters in west London.

Prosecutors said Dovtaev, 31, went to Iran International's office to try and record security arrangements after the channel became a target following its reporting on the death in custody of Mahsa Amini in Iran and subsequent protests last year.

Prosecutor Nicholas de la Poer told London's Old Bailey last week that Iran's minister of intelligence had declared Iran International a terrorist organization – and that others had carried out surveillance on the channel before Dovtaev.

Denied single count of attempting to collect information

Dovtaev denied a single count of attempting to collect information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism and claimed he had been "set up" into visiting Iran International's London office.

He gave evidence that he and his father had been defrauded of around 20,000 euros and were told the fraudsters could be traced to a business park in west London, not knowing that it was in fact the headquarters of Iran International.

Dovtaev also told jurors that he and his family had fled Chechnya when he was a child, after his uncle was kidnapped by Russian soldiers, and were granted political asylum in Austria.

Asked by his lawyer if he had any affiliation with or support for the Iranian regime, Dovtaev said he did not.

Dovtaev was found guilty by a jury on Wednesday. He showed no emotion as the verdict was delivered.