Jerusalem Man Indicted for Contacting Foreign Agent, Filming Jewish Neighborhoods

Jerusalem prosecutors have filed an indictment against Tarek Oweida, a 53-year-old resident of the city, for allegedly contacting a foreign agent. Oweida is accused of communicating with an individual acting on behalf of a foreign state or terrorist organization for approximately one year. During this period, the foreign agent allegedly requested Oweida to photograph various locations in Jerusalem, including Jewish residential areas and security force positions, in exchange for money.

According to the indictment, Oweida joined a Telegram group called "The Resistance" about a year ago, where he began communicating with the foreign agent. Their exchanges occurred roughly every two weeks. The agent also asked Oweida to download a secure, encrypted messaging application and later inquired if he could attach a camera to his electric bicycle to film discreetly during his travels.

Oweida reportedly indicated he was in the vicinity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. On another occasion, he agreed to the agent's request to install a camera on his bicycle and film a mosque, but ultimately did not carry out the task. Shortly before his arrest, the agent made a final request for Oweida to film in the Al-Aqsa Mosque area or other potentially useful locations, but Oweida did not respond or complete the mission.

The indictment charges Oweida with the offense of contact with a foreign agent. The prosecution is requesting that the court order his detention until the legal proceedings are concluded.