A civilian and three IDF soldiers were indicted Friday after being arrested in March on suspicion of maintaining long-term contact with Iranian intelligence operatives and carrying out security-related tasks at their direction before their military enlistment, the Shin Bet, Israel Police, and Military Police confirmed in a statement.
The arrests were carried out in a joint operation by the Shin Bet, the Asher District investigative unit, Lahav 433, and the Military Police Criminal Investigation Division. According to authorities, the suspects allegedly photographed sites across Israel and transferred the footage to their handlers.
The investigation found that one of the suspects allegedly recruited the others and directed them to carry out various photography missions across the country. Authorities said the suspects were also asked to purchase weapons.
Suspects shared photos of public sites, Air Force technical school
As part of the alleged assignments, the suspects documented and sent photographs and videos of train stations, shopping centers, security cameras, and other sites. They also allegedly transferred footage of the Israeli Air Force technical school, where some of the suspects had studied.
Investigators said some of the suspects independently approached the handler to request security-related tasks. Some were also allegedly involved in vandalism of property as part of their contact with foreign handlers.
The case adds to a series of Iranian recruitment efforts inside Israel, including cases involving soldiers, reservists, and civilians accused of gathering intelligence or carrying out missions for Iranian operatives.
