Israeli Ex-Special Unit Soldier Indicted for Attempting to Aid Iranian Intelligence

The Israeli State Prosecution filed an indictment on July 16 against an Israeli citizen who served in both regular and reserve capacities in a classified military unit. The indictment accuses him of contacting a foreign agent and attempting to pass intelligence to benefit an enemy, specifically Iranian intelligence. The case was revealed on a Wednesday after the court partially lifted a comprehensive gag order that had previously restricted publication of details.

Investigations by the Lahav 433 National Fraud Unit, the Military Intelligence Directorate's investigative branch, and the Shin Bet revealed that the suspect maintained contact with an individual posing as an Iranian intelligence operative. At one point, the suspect was asked to assist in recruiting another soldier to establish contact with these foreign agents. The suspect faces charges of contact with a foreign agent and attempted transmission of information to the enemy.

The court allowed only limited paraphrased information to be published, keeping the identities of the accused and other involved parties confidential under a gag order. The Shin Bet, Military Intelligence, the Israel Defense Forces, and the Israel Police reiterated warnings against engaging with foreign agents from enemy states or unknown entities and urged the public to report any suspicious contacts to law enforcement. The case is being handled by attorney Irena Inberg from the Cyber Department of the State Prosecution.