Vahid Abri is accused of helping the Iranian intelligence service

A 39-year-old man has been charged with aiding Iran’s intelligence service.

Liverpool’s Vahid Abery has been charged under the National Security Act in a counter-terrorism police investigation.

He was arrested in Birmingham on Wednesday and taken to a police station in the West Midlands where he and detectives searched properties in Birmingham and Liverpool.

Abery was remanded in custody and later appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of London’s counter-terrorism police, said: “In recent years we have seen a significant and sustained increase in the length of our work in national security investigations.

“This case is yet another example of us intervening to disrupt suspected activities linked to foreign intelligence services.

“While we cannot comment on the specifics of the charges against anyone at this time, I would like to assure the public that we do not have any direct threat to them or any community or individual in relation to this investigation.”