Israeli Sentenced to 7 Years for Assisting Iranian Intelligence in 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 for aiding Iranian intelligence. Zolotarev admitted to maintaining ongoing contact with Iranian intelligence agents over several months, during which he carried out various espionage and sabotage tasks within Israel in exchange for thousands of dollars.

His activities included gathering intelligence by photographing facilities, vehicles, and homes, committing acts of vandalism such as graffiti spraying, and setting fire to vehicles. He also attempted to recruit other Israeli citizens to perform missions for the Iranian handlers. 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 set on fire.

Judge Hana Sabbagh emphasized the need for stringent punishment in such cases due to the increasing efforts by Iranian intelligence to recruit Israeli citizens for activities that threaten national security. The judge stated that a strong deterrent message must be sent to anyone considering collaboration with enemy agents.