Man charged over Golders Green memorial fire

A man has been charged in connection with an alleged arson attack on a memorial wall in Golders Green, north London.

Ali Fallahi, 45, of Ilford, is accused of starting the fire at the site in Limes Avenue on 27 April, prompting an investigation by counter-terrorism officers.

He has been charged with arson and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

Fallahi is alleged to have damaged a memorial cabinet belonging to the Miga Rally community group which was next to the wall, which is a tribute to the thousands of protesters killed in a crackdown in Iran in January.

A section of the wall is dedicated to those killed in the Hamas attack on the Nova music festival in Israel in 2023.

The fire, which started at about 00:15 BST, was spotted and quickly put out, and did not spread to the wall itself, according to the community group.

The Metropolitan Police said Fallahi is a dual British and Iranian national.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of counter-terrorism policing London, said: "This charge marks another step forward in one of the investigations into the series of arson attacks targeting the Jewish community and Iranian diaspora in London.

"We are determined to bring everyone involved in these incidents to justice."

After the incident, Miga Rally released a statement saying: "The memorial wall is a peaceful place of remembrance, documenting lives lost and ensuring victims are not forgotten.

"Any attempt to damage or desecrate such a site is deeply troubling and an attack on the values of remembrance, dignity and community cohesion.

"We hope those responsible will be identified and held accountable."

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