Israeli Couple from Ashkelon Charged with Spying for Iran, Including Surveillance in Eilat

The Israeli State Prosecutor's Office filed an indictment on Thursday at the Tel Aviv District Court against Tamirlan Amshukov (26) and Alina Kushnirenko (24), a couple from Ashkelon, accusing them of espionage for Iran. According to the indictment submitted by Attorney Oren Haim from the Tel Aviv District Prosecutor's Office, a Telegram user named "Aslan" contacted Amshukov, offering to transfer money to his credit card for cash withdrawal and delivery to another person in exchange for a commission. Although Amshukov did not complete this task, he continued communication with "Aslan."

Later, "Aslan" proposed that Amshukov conduct surveillance, documentation, and monitoring missions at various locations across Israel, targeting specific individuals whose identities would be provided, in exchange for payment in cryptocurrency. Amshukov accepted and recruited his partner to assist. The operation lasted from April to July 2026, during which the couple systematically collected intelligence on multiple sites, including residences of security personnel and civilian and military infrastructure. They transferred this information to the Iranian agent for cryptocurrency payments.

The indictment states the couple knowingly provided information to hostile entities, potentially benefiting the enemy. Initially, they denied awareness of working for Iran but later admitted their actions amid the investigation, acknowledging they suspected illegality from the start yet continued. They documented residential buildings in Ashdod, Beersheba, and Haifa, including a security factory employee and a security forces member. They also recorded Ramat Aviv Mall, emergency exits, a private home in Kadima-Zoran, and in Eilat, the promenade, port, and sea. They were later asked to approach a naval base to document ships, but Amshukov left the base fearing continuation.

Additionally, Amshukov purchased an operational phone funded by the Iranian agent, with Kushnirenko assisting its use. He also documented Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, including entrances, access roads, the Herzl Museum, and IDF soldiers present. The foreign agent requested further tasks like renting an apartment in Haifa for camera placement, recruiting taxi drivers, and transferring funds, but these were not carried out. The couple was arrested on the day they were to perform another mission in Beersheba, preventing its execution.