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Golders Green memorial wall arson aimed at Iranian exile, court told
Overview
A court has heard that an arson attack near a memorial wall in Golders Green, north London, was carried out by Ali Fallahi to burn a photograph of the former Crown Prince of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, whom he blamed for his cousin's death during anti-government protests. Fallahi pleaded guilty to arson in August, and a judge stated there was no wider political motivation or hate element behind the offence. A Newton hearing is scheduled for 27 November to establish Fallahi's exact intentions regarding the wider memorial damage.
Key points
- Ali Fallahi, 46, pleaded guilty to arson over a fire on 27 April in Golders Green, north London.
- The fire damaged a cabinet in front of a memorial wall dedicated to protesters killed in Iran and victims of the 7 October Hamas attack.
- The court was told Fallahi targeted a photograph of Reza Pahlavi, the former Crown Prince of Iran, blaming him for his cousin's death.
- The judge stated there was no wider political motivation or hate element to the offence.
- A Newton hearing has been scheduled for 27 November to determine Fallahi's full intentions.