A Greek national has been accused of spying on an Iranian journalist in the UK by using a covert camera hidden inside a sock, a court has heard.Ioannis Aidinidis, who was born in Georgia and lives in Germany, is alleged to have carried out surveillance on a London-based journalist working for Iran International, a Persian-language TV channel.Prosecutor Lee Ingham told Westminster magistrates court that Aidinidis, 46, had travelled to the UK on two occasions in April and May 2026.On the second visit, Aidinidis allegedly “installed a covert camera hidden in a sock”, which was “able to send data to persons unknown abroad”. He was said to have then placed the camera in a tree.Aidinidis appeared at Westminster magistrates court on Friday charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service, believed to be Iran, under the National Security Act after an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London.He confirmed his identity through a Russian interpreter but did not enter any pleas. He was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on 19 June.Ingham said Aidinidis allegedly visited addresses linked to the journalist during both of his trips to London. He is accused of photographing and filming homes and car registration plates.Ingham said messages on Aidinidis’s phone indicated he was being funded by people abroad and that separate evidence suggested he carried out surveillance on a defence firm in Italy in between his trips to Britain.Police said his actions were believed to be on behalf of Iran.Journalists working for Iran International have been “openly targeted” by the Iranian government, Ingham told the court, with staff having featured on “Wanted: dead or alive” posters.Aidinidis was arrested in the West Sussex area on 16 May by CTP detectives from London, supported by officers from CTP South East.Commander Helen Flanagan, the head of CTP London, said: “We know this may cause concern for many people here in the UK, and particularly those working in Persian-language media.“We continue to work closely with a number of organisations and individuals to provide them with advice and support around their safety and security, and this includes the specific individual and organisation linked to this investigation.“If anyone has concerns around their safety then they can contact their local police force and further advice and support can be provided.”Police said there is not believed to be any wider threat to the public.