A Greek man has pleaded not guilty in a London court to carrying out surveillance on behalf of a foreign intelligence service on a journalist working for Iran International.

Ioannis Aidinidis, 46, appeared in court on Friday and denied the charge. He was charged in May under Britain's National Security Act and has been remanded in custody ahead of a trial in May next year.

Prosecutors allege that Mr Aidinidis, who was born in Georgia and lived in Munich, Germany, at the time of his arrest, travelled to Britain twice, in April and in May, to carry out surveillance of a journalist for the London-based television station, which is critical of Iran's government.

What prosecutors allege

Police have previously said Mr Aidinidis's actions were believed to be on behalf of Iran. At an earlier court appearance, prosecutors alleged he visited addresses linked to the journalist, photographing and filming homes and car number plates.

Prosecutors also alleged that during his second visit he installed a covert camera hidden in a sock, which was able to send data to people abroad. Tehran has repeatedly denied involvement in attacks or plots in Britain.

Trial set for next May

Mr Aidinidis was remanded in custody after entering his not-guilty plea on Friday. The case will go to trial in May next year, when a jury will hear the evidence against him.

Iran International is a Persian-language broadcaster based in London that reports critically on the Iranian government. Its journalists have previously been the target of threats and plots in the UK, and the case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command.