7 Jewish Israelis accused of spying for Iran, penalty could include death sentence

Seven Israeli citizens, including a father, his son and two minors, were arrested in September on suspicion of carrying out hundreds of spying operations for the Iranian regime, according to prosecutors. 

On Monday morning, state prosecutors filed charges against the seven individuals, all of whom are Jewish-Israeli citizens who immigrated from Azerbaijan. The adult suspects were identified as Azis Nisanov, Alexander Sadykov, Vyacheslav Gushchin, Yevgeny Yoffe and Yigal Nissan. The names of the minors were not published, in accordance with Israeli law. 

The seven individuals were arrested on Sept. 19 while trying to film in southern Israel and are expected to be charged with aiding the enemy in wartime, punishable by death or life imprisonment. 

Israel Police rejected a connection between the suspects and Hamas' decision to invade on Oct. 7 but said that "every missile fired towards the country in the past two years from Gaza, Lebanon, or Iran reached places they filmed and sent to the Iranians, with an emphasis on the past year.” 

The evidence of the investigation indicated that espionage activities were directed by two Iranian agents. The activities started about two years ago and were only exposed over the last several months, following intelligence received by the Israeli Security Agency (Shin Bet). The investigation was conducted by the Israel Police special unit Lahav 433, often called the Israeli FBI, after receiving information from Shin Bet. 

The seven suspects are accused of photographing and collecting information about sensitive military sites, such as IDF bases and facilities, the Kirya defense headquarters in Tel Aviv, and the locations of Iron Dome batteries.

The suspects reportedly received maps of strategic sites from their Iranian handlers and were asked to gather pictures and useful information. Sites photographed by the suspects include the Nevatim and Ramat David airbases, as well as the Golani training base that was struck by a drone earlier this month, during which eight IDF soldiers were killed. 

The photos, videos and information were uploaded using encrypted communication software. Police believe the group was motivated by financial and not political concerns, as they received hundreds of thousands of shekels in payment for their activities. The payments were often made through Russian intermediaries who traveled to Israel for that purpose. 

"This is one of the most serious incidents ever investigated," said IDF Lt.-Gen. Yaron Binyamin, commander of the Lehav 433's Security Division.

"We probably have too many people like that in Israel and it's very disturbing.” 

Last week, an Israeli couple was arrested after being recruited by an Iranian agent to carry out various acts of sabotage, including plots to assassinate Israeli leaders. 

In September, an Israeli businessman was arrested after being recruited by Iranian agents in Turkey. The Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency said it has foiled several attempts at sabotage and assassination by Iranian agents over the past few months.