Indictment: Israel Charges Tajik Migrant With Spying for Iran

Prosecutors today (Monday) filed an indictment in the Tel Aviv District Court against Bakhroz Shakhrib Davidobiev, an undocumented migrant from Tajikistan, accusing him of espionage on behalf of Iran.

According to the indictment, filed by attorney Aviv Bar-Or of the Tel Aviv District Attorney's Office, Davidobiev operated for months under the direction of Iranian intelligence agents, collecting information on strategic and military targets in Israel and transmitting it via the Telegram app in exchange for cryptocurrency payments.

The indictment states that between February and June of this year, Davidobiev was handled by Iranian operatives who identified themselves by the aliases "Anna," "Uri," and "Polina." Prosecutors allege that he carried out a series of intelligence-gathering assignments, systematically collecting information on security-sensitive infrastructure across Israel.

According to the charges, Davidobiev reported on missile impact sites during Operation Rising Lion and carried out photography missions at several locations, including the Port of Haifa and an Elbit Systems facility. Prosecutors say he acted under the direction of his Iranian handlers and with the intent to harm Israel's national security.

The indictment further states that about two months after his recruitment, Davidobiev told the agent known as "Polina" that he was afraid to continue, fearing he could face prison "like others who worked with them." He said he had decided to stop carrying out assignments.

According to the indictment, "Polina" responded that it was "his right," but warned that if he refused to continue, all contact between them would end immediately.

Prosecutors allege that the very next day Davidobiev resumed contact with "Polina" and agreed to continue carrying out assignments in exchange for payment. He then allegedly continued collecting intelligence and transmitting information according to instructions from his Iranian handlers.

The indictment also accuses Davidobiev of helping Iran expand its espionage network inside Israel. According to prosecutors, he distributed dozens of flyers disguised as legitimate "help wanted" advertisements in migrant neighborhoods in Ashdod and Tel Aviv in an effort to recruit others to carry out similar assignments for the same hostile actors.