Police close case against Ra’anana couple accused of spying for Iran

Police have closed an espionage case against Doria Achiel and Yuvda Israilov, a young couple arrested on suspicion of spying for Iranian interests.

They were suspected of passing information to harm state security, maintaining contact with a foreign agent, conspiring to commit a crime and drug possession, but charges were never filed against the pair, says their lawyer Nir David.

The two were arrested by police in their Ra’anana home at the Shin Bet’s directive in July. Officers raided the apartment, seizing phones and computers thought to have contained correspondence between the pair and supposed Iranian handlers.

Both denied the accusations and were released to house arrest by the Petah Tikvah Magistrate’s Court a week after their initial detention.

Dozens of Israelis have been arrested and charged over the past two years on suspicion of spying on Tehran’s behalf, after making contact with Iranian agents via social media. Only one of the alleged spies has been convicted so far, as most cases are still making their way through the legal system.