Israeli Man Sentenced to 13.5 Years for Spying for Iran

A court in Lod has sentenced 29-year-old Alexander Granovsky of Petah Tikva to 13.5 years in prison for espionage activities on behalf of Iran. Channel 14 reported that this is the harshest sentence handed down to date for such offenses.

According to the indictment, Granovsky maintained regular contact with an Iranian agent via Telegram, receiving payments through a digital wallet for tasks related to security. Under the agent's direction, Granovsky documented military sites, spray-painted political slogans, and set fire to vehicles. In December 2024, he was instructed to acquire weapons and film the residential area of Knesset Member Benny Gantz, as well as power stations in Hadera and Reading. Granovsky filmed Gantz's neighborhood and the Reading power station, transmitting the footage to the agent. He demanded additional payment for filming another power station.

Further instructions included obtaining and destroying IDF uniforms and acting as an intermediary to find individuals with criminal backgrounds for violent acts. Granovsky provided the agent with the details of two such individuals. He also agreed to make Molotov cocktails but failed to complete the task due to a language barrier.

The indictment stated that Granovsky followed the foreign agent's instructions, employing security measures to conceal his identity and actions, such as wearing plain clothing and avoiding surveillance cameras. He was aware that the agent was hostile to Israel but continued to cooperate, even proactively suggesting tasks and repeatedly requesting more significant assignments.