Man Found Guilty of 'Hostile Espionage' Against Iran International Office in London

A man accused of 'hostile espionage' against the television network 'Iran International' in London was convicted on Wednesday, December 20, for gathering information that could be used in a terrorist attack. According to Reuters, Mohammad Hossein Douvatayef traveled from Austria to London last February and went to the area where the Persian-language network 'Iran International' is located. The prosecutor stated that 31-year-old Douvatayef went to film the security measures around the Iran International office after the network's reports on the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the morality police and the beginning of nationwide protests in Iran. Prosecutor Nicholas De La Poer said last week in the Old Bailey court in London that the Iranian Minister of Intelligence had declared the Iran International network a terrorist organization, adding that even before Douvatayef, others had been monitoring this television network. Douvatayef denied the charge of 'attempting to gather useful information' for individuals who were 'possibly' preparing or committing a terrorist act against this Persian-language network. He claimed he was 'played' in going to the Iran International office in London. Douvatayef presented evidence claiming that he and his father were defrauded of about 20,000 euros and were told that the fraudsters could be found in a commercial building in West London, without knowing that this building was the Iran International office. He also told the jury that he and his family fled Chechnya when he was a child after his uncle was kidnapped by Russian soldiers and sought political asylum in Austria. Douvatayef denied any affiliation or support from the Islamic Republic in response to his lawyer's questions. The jury found Douvatayef guilty at the end of the trial. He remained calm and showed no emotion when the verdict was announced. Judge Richard Marks stated that Douvatayef's sentence would be announced on Friday. Iran International had stated in February, after Douvatayef's arrest, that it would move its live broadcasting studios to the United States due to threats it faced in Britain. The network resumed its broadcasts in London in September. A spokesperson for Iran International stated, 'This trial is a reminder of the threats that journalists and news organizations face. Journalism around the world is under attack from those seeking to suppress media freedom.' The statement continued, 'We will not be deterred by threats. Our journalists will continue to provide independent and uncensored news that the people of Iran deserve.' The statement concluded, 'Today's verdict sends a clear message that Britain remains a bastion of free speech, where threats against journalists will not be tolerated.'