Negev teacher charged with spying on airbase for Iran

State prosecutors have filed charges against a teacher from the Negev after she was arrested in June on suspicion of spying for Iran.

According to a statement from police, 33-year-old Tahani Abu Samhan had been in contact with an Iranian agent over the course of a year, including amid Israel’s recent war against the Islamic Republic.

She allegedly filmed fighter jets taking off from the southern Nevatim airbase during the war at the behest of her handler, then passed the videos along to the agent.

Prosecutors say Abu Samhan was fully aware the person she was in contact with was an Iranian operative, adding that she had used a separate phone to communicate with the agent.

Similar to others accused of spying for Iran, Abu Samhan was paid by her handler, according to i24 News. She was reportedly compensated in cash, unlike the majority of recruits who receive payment in cryptocurrency. It is unclear how the cash was transferred to the Negev resident.

Abu Samhan was charged in the Beersheba District Court with the offenses of maintaining contact with a foreign agent and passing intelligence to the enemy, say police. Prosecutors have requested that the court order her held in detention until the end of legal proceedings against her.