Golders Green memorial fire: Man admits arson

Ali Fallahi, aged 46, admitted to committing arson on 27 April in Golders Green. The incident involved a fire that damaged a cabinet situated in front of a memorial wall in Limes Avenue. The court heard that Fallahi attempted to burn a photograph of Reza Pahlavi, the former Crown Prince of Iran, whom he held responsible for the death of his cousin during anti-government protests in Iran. Fallahi, who resides in Ilford, east London, entered his guilty plea in August. The Miga Rally community group established the memorial wall as a tribute to individuals killed in a crackdown in Iran and also to those who died at the Nova music festival in Israel on 7 October 2023.

Motivation for the attack

Read Next in Barnet Press3 min read

Hampstead Heath cafe tenants can challenge lease decision

Hoxton Beach has won the right to legally challenge the City of London Corporation's decision to award cafe leases.

During a hearing at Harrow Crown Court, Judge Lana Wood relayed Fallahi's stated motivation. He expressed anger towards Mr Pahlavi, who resides in the US as a dissident, for issuing calls for protests in Iran from a place of safety. Fallahi attributed his cousin's death to these calls. The prosecution indicated there was no evidence to dispute Fallahi's stated reason for the attack. However, they contend that Fallahi intended to damage the cabinet and the photograph, and was reckless as to whether the wider memorial would be affected.

Judge Wood stated that a Newton hearing, scheduled for 27 November, will be held to clarify Fallahi's intentions. The court was informed that the flames from the fire were quickly extinguished by the Miga Rally group and did not spread to the memorial wall itself. The defendant has been released on bail.

Court proceedings

Related Borough Coverage3 min read

Hampstead Tackles Litter and Crime Issues

Councillor Linda Chung reports progress on antisocial behaviour and shoplifting in the ward.

The sentencing hearing for Ali Fallahi was previously adjourned due to his request to change legal representation. The initial investigation into the fire involved counter-terrorism police, given the location in Golders Green, an area with a significant Jewish population. Judge Wood noted that there was 'no wider political motivation or hate element' in the offence, as reported by BBC London.