Independent journalist arrested, briefly held on suspicion of being in contact with Iranian agents — report

An independent journalist was nabbed last week on suspicion of maintaining contact with Iranian agents, but has since been released from police custody, Ynet reports.

The man was arrested by the Shin Bet and Jerusalem District police after he himself reached out to police’s cyber division with concerns about having received messages from unidentified individuals, according to the outlet.

He was interrogated by Shin Bet agents and then transferred to police investigators for further interrogation. He holds a press ID card, the outlet notes.

He was contacted several times, once by someone requesting that he send them photos of a Haredi anti-draft protest in exchange for money. He became suspicious after someone else reached out asking him to photograph a street, which he refused to do.

The journalist had corresponded with the unidentified individuals under the impression he was helping the Haredi public, his associates tell Ynet.

Officers brought the reporter to the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court in a bid to extend his detention by eight days. Their request was granted, but overturned a day later by the city’s district court upon appeal.