A British-Iranian national, Vahid Aberi, 39, is accused of volunteering to spy for Iran's intelligence services and will face trial after allegedly being apprehended in a sting operation. Aberi, from Liverpool, is alleged to have offered himself as a "humble servant" willing to cooperate with "dear compatriots" in Iran.
The court heard that Aberi allegedly exchanged messages in Farsi with an individual he believed to be a legitimate Iranian operative based in the UK. This communication was reportedly part of an effort to connect with the Quds Force, the overseas operations arm of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Prosecutors allege that Aberi offered to travel to London to scout storage locations, acquire a burner phone, and receive items from his contact. However, Aberi was reportedly unaware that he was communicating with an undercover officer from UK Counter Terror Policing.
At a preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey, Aberi appeared via video-link from Wormwood Scrubs. He faces one count of engaging in conduct intended to assist a foreign intelligence service between December 17, 2025, and July 16, 2026, contrary to the National Security Act.
Prosecutor Joe Allman stated that Aberi engaged in conduct to "materially assist" Iranian intelligence services within the UK. Following a port stop at Stansted Airport, Aberi allegedly agreed to set up a new email address, purchase a phone, complete a questionnaire, and travel to London to collect a burner phone.
Further allegations include Aberi traveling to London and collecting a "burgundy container" that purportedly contained a drone. He was arrested on July 15, and a burgundy bag, described as the subject of roleplayer activities, was recovered from his car.
Mrs. Justice Cheema-Grubb scheduled the trial to be heard by a High Court judge at Preston Crown Court. Aberi denies the allegations. A provisional trial date has been set for February 15 of the following year, with a plea hearing scheduled for December 4 at the Old Bailey.
Aberi, residing at Ampulla Road, Liverpool, confirmed his identity during the 30-minute hearing and was remanded into custody. The IRGC is described as a violent, Islamist-extremist organization founded to defend the Islamic Republic of Iran's core values.