Seven Israelis have been arrested on charges of espionage for Iran, allegedly conducting hundreds of intelligence-gathering tasks on sensitive military and civilian sites, Israeli officials announced on Monday. The suspects, all Jewish Israelis from Haifa and its surrounding areas, are accused of gathering intelligence on Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) bases, Iron Dome missile defense system locations, and critical infrastructure, as well as identifying potential human targets for Iranian intelligence. Their actions are believed to have compromised national security, according to the Israel Police and the Shin Bet.
The group includes five adults and two minors, with one suspect identified as an AWOL soldier. The adult suspects have been identified as Azis Nisanov, Alexander Sadykov, Vyacheslav Gushchin, Yevgeny Yoffe, and Yigal Nissan.
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Prosecutors allege that the seven were paid hundreds of thousands of dollars, some in cryptocurrency, for their work, which began around two years ago. The suspects allegedly carried out around 600 missions for their Iranian handlers, targeting key sites like Ramat David and Nevatim Airbases, both previously targeted in missile strikes, and the Golani Brigade base, which recently suffered a deadly Hezbollah drone attack.
Israeli authorities believe the suspects acted primarily for financial gain, with payments funneled through Russian intermediaries. They were reportedly aware that their intelligence could aid enemy missile strikes. The investigation, conducted jointly by Israel’s security services, uncovered extensive documentation and materials handed over to Iranian agents, referred to as “Alkhan” and “Orkhan.”
Prosecutors are expected to file charges by the end of the week, including accusations of assisting the enemy during wartime. Officials described the case as one of the most severe espionage incidents Israel has faced in recent years.