Two Youths Charged with Filming Malls, Spraying Graffiti for Iranian Agent

Two teenagers have been indicted on charges of acting as agents for Iran, allegedly by filming commercial centers and spraying graffiti at their direction. The indictment, filed in the Lod District Court, details how the youths were recruited by an Iranian handler through social media. The handler instructed them to photograph various locations, including malls, and to spray specific graffiti tags. The Shin Bet security agency, which investigated the case, stated that the handler provided the youths with funds and specific instructions for their activities. The investigation revealed that the handler's ultimate goal was to create a sense of insecurity and chaos within Israel.

The indictment includes charges of conspiracy to commit a crime, contact with a foreign agent, and conspiracy to commit espionage. The Shin Bet emphasized that Iran is actively seeking to recruit individuals within Israel for various intelligence and operational purposes, often exploiting social media to make contact. The agency warned the public to be vigilant against such attempts and to report any suspicious approaches or activities. The court has set a hearing date for the case, and the prosecution is expected to seek a significant prison sentence for the defendants, given the severity of the charges.