Photo: depositphotos.
The Israel Security Service (Shabak), together with the police, uncovered another attempt by Iranian intelligence to recruit an Israeli citizen for subversive activities. The defendant in the case is 35-year-old Vladimir Verkhovsky, a resident of Petah Tikva, who was recruited via Telegram to perform espionage tasks. According to Vesty, Iran promised him $100,000 for the murder of an Israeli scientist and guarantees of transfer to Russia after the order was completed.
Subversion and recruitment through social media
According to the investigation, Verkhovskyi was initially offered minor tasks. During his communication with the agent, who called himself “Eli” and claimed to have Israeli citizenship but lived in Canada, he received various instructions. Initial tasks included writing graffiti with political slogans, including “LEHI” in Tel Aviv, and recording rallies and demonstrations. For this, he was paid small amounts in cryptocurrency.
Gradually, the tasks became more complex: Verkhovsky had to take photos of mailboxes, house doors, install surveillance equipment and send video reports. However, his recruitment culminated in an order to assassinate an Israeli scientist. The Iranian handlers promised to pay him $100,000 for completing this task.
Preparation for the murder and arrest
To execute the murder, Verkhovskyi was given the coordinates of a weapons cache. He took a taxi to the location, found the gun and ammunition, and then sent a photo as proof of receipt of the weapon. In return, he received $120, but that was the end of his espionage activities – Verkhovskyi was arrested shortly afterwards.
Expansion of the Iranian agent network
Israeli intelligence services note that Iran continues to actively use social media to recruit agents among Israelis, offering small, seemingly safe tasks at first, but later involving them in operations that threaten national security.
This case once again confirms the threat posed by Iranian intelligence to Israel, using its citizens to implement dangerous plans.
