Israeli Sentenced to 7 Years for Assisting Iranian Intelligence with Espionage and Sabotage

The Nazareth-Nof HaGalil District Court sentenced Israeli resident Artyom Zolotarev to seven years in prison after he was convicted in a plea deal of serious security offenses related to espionage and sabotage on behalf of Iranian intelligence. Zolotarev admitted to maintaining ongoing contact with Iranian operatives over several months, during which he carried out multiple missions within Israel in exchange for thousands of dollars.

His activities included gathering intelligence by photographing facilities, vehicles, and homes, as well as acts of sabotage such as spraying graffiti and setting vehicles on fire. He also attempted to recruit other Israeli citizens to assist Iranian intelligence. In addition to the prison term, the court imposed a 12-month suspended sentence, a fine of 10,000 shekels, and ordered Zolotarev to pay 10,000 shekels in compensation to each of the four vehicle owners whose cars he damaged.

Judge Hanna Sabbagh emphasized the need for stringent punishment due to the increasing efforts by Iranian intelligence to recruit Israeli citizens for hostile activities. He stated that a strong deterrent message is necessary to dissuade others from collaborating with enemy agents. The prosecution was led by Attorney Amos Danieli from the Northern District Attorney's Office.