Ex-Minister Gonen Segev Jailed Again for Spying for Iran

Former Israeli Minister Gonen Segev has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for espionage and passing information to Iran. The conviction marks a second major fall for Segev, who previously served time for attempting to smuggle 32,000 ecstasy pills into Israel.

Segev, who served as Minister of Energy and Infrastructure in the 1990s, was initially caught in 2004 attempting to smuggle ecstasy pills into Israel hidden in candy packaging. He used a forged diplomatic passport, claiming he was on a secret mission, to avoid security checks at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. Dutch authorities discovered the drugs in a storage locker after Segev had already boarded his flight to Israel. He was later arrested in Israel, and despite initial denials, eventually admitted to the charges as part of a plea deal, receiving a five-year sentence.

After his release from prison, Segev moved to Nigeria, where he continued to practice medicine despite his license being revoked in Israel. In 2012, he was contacted by Iranian intelligence officials. Over the next several years, Segev met with his handlers in various countries, including twice traveling to Iran. He provided them with information concerning Israel's energy sector, security sites, and government officials, and also attempted to connect Iranian intelligence with Israeli citizens involved in security and foreign relations.

Segev was arrested in May 2018 upon his return to Israel from Equatorial Guinea, where he was denied entry due to his criminal past. He was interrogated by the Shin Bet and police, leading to his indictment in June 2018 for aiding an enemy in wartime, espionage, and multiple counts of providing information to an enemy. In February 2019, he reached a plea agreement, admitting to severe espionage for Iran and passing information to an enemy, while the more serious charge of aiding an enemy in wartime was dropped. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison.