Iran Recruiting Israeli Ex-Criminals for Espionage and Assassinations

tel aviv - Iranian agents have been recruiting Israeli ex-criminals for espionage and assassination missions, causing concerns for national security in Israel.

Iranian agents have been contacting individuals in Israel through social media, targeting those they consider vulnerable or corruptible, with a special focus on popular platform Telegram. This week, four Israelis were charged with espionage, terrorism, and collaborating with the enemy.

Among them, Vladimir Varkhovsky stands accused of carrying out various tasks for an Iranian spy who posed as 'Eli', a Canadian-based Israeli, on Telegram. Initially, Varkhovsky was paid for minor activities like graffiti painting with messages such as 'Netanyahu = Hitler', and filming demonstrators.

Subsequently, he was assigned a major task: the assassination of an Israeli scientist for $100,000, along with help in fleeing to Russia. Varkhovsky, residing in Petach Tikva, made preparations for the murder by surveilling a building in Tel Aviv. However, upon returning home after collecting a gun and bullets in Modi'in, he was arrested by agents.

A few days earlier, Vladislav Victorsson (30) from Ramat Gan, his girlfriend Anna Bernstein (18), and a third individual, were charged with similar offenses. Victorsson, too, was recruited via Telegram by an Iranian agent posing as 'Mari Hossi'. Despite communicating in Hebrew, like Varkhovsky, Victorsson was aware of his Iranian contact.

He completed various tasks – from graffiti painting ($20 per piece) to setting cars on fire ($1450) and attempting to recruit homeless individuals. He also agreed to assassinate a senior official, but was apprehended by the police before carrying it out.

Many Israelis contacted by the Iranian intelligence service, like Victorsson, have extensive criminal records. Victorsson has previous convictions for sexual offenses, including against minors. Described as a peculiar figure associated with the gothic scene in Tel Aviv, he and his girlfriend have faced separate allegations.

Despite often unsuccessful amateurish espionage attempts by Iran to harm Israel's security, the Shin Bet remains vigilant. A former Shin Bet agent explained that Iranians typically target individuals with criminal backgrounds or those in vulnerable situations, offering them a taste of espionage.

Past incidents show Iranian efforts to recruit individuals within Israel for espionage activities, with significant counterintelligence operations undertaken by the Mossad in Iran. A stark contrast is revealed in the extensive penetration of each country's intelligence agencies into the other's territory.

Former Iranian president Ahmadinejad recently disclosed Mossad's deep infiltration in Iran, including the revelation that the head of the unit handling Mossad activities was an Israeli intelligence agent. This underscores the ongoing intelligence warfare between the two countries.