Israel News
Israeli Arab Charged With Spying for Iran in Exchange for Payment
A resident of Baqa al-Gharbiyye was arrested on suspicion of contacting Iranian operatives and carrying out assignments for them in exchange for payment. An indictment was filed against him in the Haifa District Court.
(Illustration: Yossi Zamir, Flash90)The Shin Bet and police announced today (Friday) that they had arrested Mohammed Fahmi Mohammed Khalaf, 25, of Baqa al-Gharbiyye, on suspicion of contacting Iranian operatives and carrying out a series of assignments for them in exchange for financial payment.
The suspected spy was arrested in recent weeks as part of a joint operation by investigators from the Asher District Major Crimes Unit, the cyber unit of Lahav 433, and the Shin Bet. At the conclusion of the joint investigation, the two agencies said they had assembled an evidentiary basis against the suspect. The Haifa District Attorney's Office today filed an indictment in the Haifa District Court on charges of contact with a foreign agent.
The joint statement said: "Israel Police and the Shin Bet view with severity any involvement by Israeli citizens in activity that endangers state security, and will continue to take every measure at their disposal to thwart threats and bring those involved to justice."
Police and the Shin Bet called on the public to remain alert, avoid conversations with unfamiliar parties online, and report suspicious requests received from them.
