Three people have been charged after the attempted firebombing attack on the offices of Iranian dissident TV network Iran International on Wednesday evening.
Police confirmed that an “ignited container” was thrown towards the premises of a “Persian language media organisation” in North West London. The JC understands that this was Iran International.
The perpetrators then fled the scene in a black SUV, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed.
A vehicle matching that description later failed to stop for armed police, prompting a high-speed chase.
The car then crashed on Ballards Lane, at which point three people were arrested on suspicion of arson and endangering life.
A police cordon was put in place around the area, and several nearby residential buildings were evacuated.
A local Jewish resident who was evacuated told the JC: “Just after 10.30 we heard banging on the front door of our block, and there was a policeman standing there who told us that something had been found on Ballards Lane and that we were to all evacuate to the Waitrose car park as there was an exclusion zone of 400 metres.
"We were very frightened. We said there were children asleep in the block and elderly people and he said everyone must leave.
"I helped our neighbours who were freaked out. People were asleep so took a while to get up and out. They were carrying their sleeping children out. It was horrible. No-one knew what was going on, there was a total lack of information.
"We were all scared and stressed and anxious and it took a while to get everybody back inside, especially the old, infirm people who don’t usually leave their flats.”
On Friday morning, the Met announced that the suspects had all been charged with arson with intent to endanger life.
They were named as Oisin McGuinness, 21, Nathan Dunn, 19, and a 16-year-old boy, with McGuinness also charged with dangerous driving.
In a statement, Iran International said: “At this stage, the motives and intentions of those involved have not been established, and we will not speculate while inquiries continue.
"But this was a serious incident, and it comes at a time of growing threats and intimidation directed at Iran International and those connected to its journalists.
“In recent months, especially following the recent military operation in Iran, there has been a sharp rise in harassment targeting the relatives of Iran International journalists inside Iran. Security agents have raided the homes of the parents and close relatives of several of our journalists in different cities, mostly in Tehran. Family members have been questioned in their homes, in some cases filmed, and pressured to identify themselves as the parents of specific journalists. Phones and other electronic devices have been confiscated. Some have also been questioned about their bank accounts, assets, and property, despite having no connection to their children’s journalistic work.
"These actions are part of a wider effort to restrict the free flow of information and deny the Iranian people access to independent news. They have intensified at a time when the authorities have imposed sweeping internet shutdowns and the media inside Iran remain under tight state control.
"Taken together, these actions amount to a campaign of transnational intimidation aimed at silencing independent journalism. Journalists must not be threatened or attacked, and their families must not be used as a means of pressure. Such actions constitute an attack on individual safety, press freedom, and the public’s right to know.
“Iran International will continue its work. We remain committed to independent journalism and to reporting the facts without fear or intimidation.”
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