A man carried out an arson attack near a memorial wall in north London Green to burn a photograph of the former Crown Prince of Iran who he blamed for his cousin’s death, a court has heard.
Ali Fallahi, 46, from Ilford, east London, pleaded guilty to arson in August over a fire on 27 April in Golders Green – an area with a large Jewish population – sparking an investigation by counter-terrorism police.
A cabinet in front of the wall in Limes Avenue established as a tribute to thousands of protesters killed in a crackdown in Iran in January was damaged by the flames.
Fallahi’s sentencing hearing at Harrow Crown Court was adjourned earlier after the defendant requested a change of solicitor.
A section of the wall – set up by the Miga Rally community group – is also dedicated to those killed in the Hamas attack on the Nova music festival in Israel on 7 October 2023.
The group said the flames were spotted and quickly extinguished, and did not spread to the wall.
The court heard that Fallahi attempted to burn a photograph of Reza Pahlavi, the former Crown Prince of Iran, who he blamed for the death of his cousin in anti-government protests in Iran.
Pahlavi, 65, who lives in the US as a dissident in exile – has urged Iranians to protest against the regime of the Islamic Republic.
Reading out a summary of Fallahi’s position, Judge Lana Wood said there had been “no wider political motivation or hate element” in the offence.
“He says, ‘It was easy for Reza Pahlavi to be brave in making calls for people to go out and protest against the regime in Iran when he was himself making calls from a safe country’.
“For that reason Mr Fallahi has been angry with Reza Pahlavi and at the time of offending he was blaming him for his cousin’s death.”
The cabinet in front of the memorial wall was damaged by flames [Press Association]
The prosecution said there was “no information to contradict” Fallahi’s motivation for the attack, but they allege Fallahi intended to damage the cabinet on which the photograph was situated as well as the picture.
They also argue that Fallahi must have been reckless as to whether his action would result in damage to the wider memorial.
The judge said a Newton hearing scheduled for 27 November would establish Fallahi’s intentions.
The defendant was released on bail.
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