A London-based Iranian information station says it has been pressured to close its UK headquarters over threats from Tehran and fears for the protection of its journalists.
Iran International TV says it has “reluctantly” closed its west London studios and moved the operation to its places of work in Washington DC.
The broadcaster stated the transfer follows warnings from the Metropolitan Police that there stay “serious” and “grave” issues about “hostile intentions of foreign states”.
It comes as Scotland Yard revealed that police and MI5 had foiled 15 plots for the reason that begin of 2022 to both kidnap or kill UK-based people perceived as enemies of the Iranian regime.
Police say a person was arrested within the space across the TV studio on Monday and charged with terrorism offences associated to the surveillance of the corporate’s headquarters.
Head of counter-terrorism policing (CTP), assistant commissioner Matt Jukes, stated in an announcement: “In light of the ongoing investigation that follows the arrest of a man last weekend in that area, and despite extraordinary security measures, we still have serious concerns for the safety of people working at this company.
“This has led to us giving additional recommendation and the corporate is now relocating.
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“We would like to thank the company for their ongoing understanding with this as we continue to support them.”
He added that the recommendation to the TV station to relocate had “not been given lightly”.
Mahmood Enayat, basic supervisor of Iran International TV, stated in an announcement {that a} “foreign state” had triggered “such a significant threat to the British public on British soil that we have to move”.
“I cannot believe it has come to this,” he stated.
“Let’s be clear, this is not just a threat to our TV station but the British public at large.
“Even extra that is an assault on the values of sovereignty, safety and free speech that the UK has at all times held expensive.”
Mr Enayat said the TV station “refused to be silenced by these cowardly threats” and vowed that the station will continue to broadcast, adding: “We are undeterred.”
A government spokesperson said: “Media freedom is an important a part of our society and journalists should have the ability to examine and report independently with out concern.
“We will not tolerate any threat to media organisations or journalists. We know the Iranian regime has established a pattern of this type of behaviour which is completely unacceptable, yet sadly typical of the regime and its lack of respect for basic rights.
“The police are persevering with to work in response to this menace. We will proceed to make use of all instruments at our disposal to guard people within the UK towards any threats from the Iranian state.”
Source: information.sky.com”