Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev, an Austrian citizen of Chechen descent, has been convicted of conducting surveillance on the west London headquarters of Iran International, a dissident Iranian TV station critical of Iran. The 31-year-old was charged with attempting to gather information beneficial for terrorist activities as part of a larger plan by unidentified individuals to carry out a terror attack.

During the trial at the Old Bailey, the prosecution, led by Nicholas De La Poer KC, presented evidence that Dovtaev covertly filmed material on his phone with the intention of “identifying vulnerabilities” in the media company’s security, which could then be exploited by others. This action was in response to the station and its employees facing violent reprisals due to their coverage of protests in Iran and the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in 2022. It should be noted that the Iranian government has designated the TV station as a terrorist organization.

In his defence, Dovtaev claimed that he was innocent and had been “set up” by an unknown contact. He denied any knowledge of why he had been sent to the location in question, attributing his actions to an admiration for the building’s architecture.

It was observed that Dovtaev casually walked past the building, surreptitiously recording the security arrangements on his phone as he went by. Notably, he was heard insulting security personnel in Russian through his Apple Airpod earphones. He was subsequently taken into custody by armed police at a nearby coffee shop.

The prosecution outlined at least three visits to the headquarters by “others unknown,” who had similarly recorded videos since the summer of 2022. However, they were clear in stating that they were not accusing Dovtaev of intending to carry out or participate in an attack on the building or its staff.

This case underscores the concerns related to the use of surveillance and espionage targeting media companies, as well as the potential threat to the safety of their staff. It also underscores the necessity for enhanced security measures and vigilance in response to such threats.

It is crucial to recognise that the implications of Dovtaev’s actions extend beyond this specific case, as they have far-reaching consequences for the safety and security of media organisations. The findings from this case provide insight into the complexities and challenges encountered by media companies, particularly those operating in politically sensitive environments.