Man charged with assisting Iran's intelligence service

Image source, PA Media Image caption, The suspect has been charged with a National Security Act offence Published 5 minutes ago A 39-year-old man has been charged with assisting Iran's intelligence service. Vahid Aberi, of Liverpool, is accused of the National Security Act offence following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing. He was arrested in Birmingham on Wednesday with detectives later carrying out searches at properties in the Birmingham and Liverpool areas. Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said she wanted to reassure the public that "we have not identified any direct threat to them nor any threat towards a community or individual in connection with this investigation". Get in touch Tell us which stories we should cover on Merseyside Contact form Contact form Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook , external , X , external , and Instagram , external . You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Related topics Liverpool Birmingham Counter-terrorism