Terror scout guilty of spying on west London-based Iranian broadcaster
Iran International was put on a "wanted list" by Iran for being critical of its regime
An Austrian national has been found guilty of spying on a dissident Iranian television channel in the UK - attempting to collect information for terrorist purposes.
Iran International was put on a "wanted list" by Iran after being critical of the regime.
Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev, 31, carried out hostile reconnaissance for others unknown at the west London headquarters of the Persian-language television channel in February.
Following a trial at the Old Bailey, Dovtaev was found guilty of attempting to collect information for terrorist purposes.
He made no reaction in the dock when the jury delivered its unanimous verdict on Wednesday after nearly seven hours of deliberations.
Judge Richard Marks KC remanded him into custody to be sentenced on Friday.
**"We will not be cowed by threats"**
Afterwards, Iran International spokesman Adam Baillie said its journalists would not be "cowed by threats".
He said: "This trial was a reminder of the threats journalists and news organisations face. Journalism is under attack across the world from those who seek to suppress media freedom.
"We will not be cowed by threats. Our journalists will continue to provide the independent, uncensored news the people of Iran deserve.
"Today's verdict sends a clear message that the UK remains a bastion of free speech where threats against journalists will not be tolerated.
"We are grateful to the Metropolitan Police for all they do to ensure our safety."
Met Police: "very alive" to the threat posed by Iran to potential targets on British soil
Commenting on the case, Met Commander Dominic Murphy said counter-terrorism police were "very alive" to the threat posed by Iran to potential targets on British soil.
The head of the Met's SO15 Counter-terrorism Command said: "For a considerable amount of time, we've been worried about threats projected into the UK from Iran.
"At this time, we don't know why Dovtaev was conducting this activity except to say that we believe very strongly that it was for terrorism.
"We don't know who did it but we have always been concerned about threats projected into the UK, and in this case particularly against Persian language media.
"I'm pleased to say the company are still broadcasting from London, but just in a different location now."
Fifteen plots "generated from Iran" against individuals or organisations in the UK have been disrupted and police remained alive to the threat from the hostile state, he said.