Seven men deny GBH after Iran embassy protest

There was unrest outside the Iranian embassy in London in June

Seven men have denied causing grievous bodily harm after a man suffered a suspected bleed on the brain following a protest outside the Iranian embassy in London.

They were arrested after the Metropolitan Police responded to reports of a fight in Princes Gate, Knightsbridge, shortly after 09:50 BST on 20 June.

The defendants, whom police said were all Iranian nationals, appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Friday.

They were taking part in a protest outside the Iranian embassy against the current regime in Tehran, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard previously.

The defendants are:

• Mohammad Nadiri, 31, of Islington, north London

• Vahid Pourrezaei, 41, of Cricklewood, north London

• Armin Hasanlov, 35, of Liverpool

• Esmaeil Balouchy, 50, of Brentford, west London

• Saeed Hosseingholipoor, 34, of Mitcham, south London

• Aref Yazdan Parast, 31, of Isleworth, west London

• Mohammad Anari Hossiah, 33, of no fixed address.

Farzin Suleimani, 31, of Birmingham, did not enter a plea.

The victim was said to have suffered serious injuries including broken ribs, a broken ankle and a suspected bleed on the brain.

Judge Mark Weekes said he would hear bail applications at a later date.

A provisional trial date has been set for 5 January next year.