Man charged with assisting foreign intelligence service

A Greek national has been charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service, believed to be Iran, over the targeting of a UK-based journalist.

Ioannis Aidinidis, 46, who lives in Munich, Germany, was charged on Friday with the offence under the National Security Act.

The Metropolitan Police said that the allegations are believed to relate to Iran and the targeting of a UK-based journalist working for Iran International, an independent broadcaster based in London.

Aidinidis was arrested on Saturday in West Sussex by detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP), and taken to a London police station.

He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court later on Friday.

There is not believed to be any wider threat to the public in relation to this matter.

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Commander Helen Flanagan, head of CTP London, said: "We know this may cause concern for many people here in the UK, and particularly those working in Persian-language media.

"We continue to work closely with a number of organisations and individuals to provide them with advice and support around their safety and security, and this includes the specific individual and organisation linked to this investigation.

"If anyone has concerns around their safety then they can contact their local police force and further advice and support can be provided."

There is not believed to be any wider threat to the public, police said.

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