Espionage Case: Minors Recruited by Iranian Agent

A serious espionage case has been exposed: minors from the Haifa and Krayot area were allegedly recruited by an Iranian intelligence agent, photographed strategic sites, and sprayed graffiti in exchange for thousands of shekels. Today, Sunday, the Haifa District Attorney's Office is filing an indictment against them.

The investigation began after one of the minors was arrested at Ben Gurion Airport upon landing in Israel on suspicion of espionage and contact with a foreign agent. According to the police, the connection between him and the agent was formed after he searched for work on the internet.

Initially, the agent assigned him tasks that seemed innocent, including distributing flyers. Later, he demanded that he fully identify himself and send photos. As the connection tightened, the minor recruited another suspect, and the two began to carry out tasks of a security nature.

Among other things, they are suspected of spraying inciting graffiti against the government, photographing central and strategic sites in the center of the country, and attempting to recruit other minors. In exchange for performing these tasks, the suspects received a few thousand shekels.

The case was exposed at the end of a covert and complex investigation conducted by the Central Unit of the Asher District, in cooperation with the Barak unit of Lahav 433 and security agencies. Upon completion of the investigation and the formulation of the evidentiary infrastructure, a prosecutor's statement was filed.

The police stated that they will act with security agencies against attempts by enemy states to recruit Israeli citizens, especially minors. They also called on parents to be vigilant about their children's activity online and to report unusual or suspicious approaches.