From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Jerusalem man accused of spying for Iran, planning terror attack
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
An Israeli civilian from Jerusalem has been arrested for carrying out missions on behalf of Iran and planning a terror attack, the Shin Bet security agency and police say, in the latest in a series of plots involving civilians allegedly recruited by Iran that security agencies say have been foiled in recent months.
The suspect, Arlder Israel Amoyal, 23, was detained in November over suspicions he was “committing security offenses related to contact with intelligence officials of the Iranian regime and carrying out security missions in Israel under their direction, for financial gain,” according to the Shin Bet.
The investigation found that since October, Amoyal was in contact with Iranian intelligence elements via social media. The Shin Bet says he was first in contact with a profile using the handle “Arianna,” who later transferred him to “John,” who became his handler.
According to the investigation, Amoyal was aware that John was an Iranian operative, but he still agreed to carry out surveillance and other missions, including photographing various addresses and spraying graffiti. The Shin Bet says Amoyal took photos of a paper with the words “Making Peace” in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, graffitied the word “Sinwar” in Tel Aviv, and took photos of several houses and streets in Netanya and Jerusalem.
Amoyal purchased a GoPro camera to film his actions, and he sent footage to his handler, the agency says. He also edited a video of a car burning, the Shin Bet says, although it is unclear if he set it on fire.
In addition, Amoyal allegedly searched social media to purchase a firearm and silencer, along with materials to manufacture a bomb. The Shin Bet says he watched instructional videos on how to build an explosive device in order to carry out a terror attack in Israel.
Amoyal also worked to recruit others to carry out missions for Iran, especially people with criminal backgrounds, the agency says.
According to the Shin Bet, Amoyal suggested to his handler to set fire to a police cruiser and to act to shut down power to the Jerusalem light rail. He filmed various areas of the light rail in an attempt to locate the power supply and sent the footage to John, the agency says.
Amoyal was rewarded with cryptocurrency for his actions, the Shin Bet adds.
An indictment is expected to be filed against Amoyal in the coming days.
The Times of Israel Community.