Israeli authorities have arrested a 22-year-old student on allegations of spying for Iran, according to a joint statement released Thursday by the country’s police and domestic intelligence agency, Shin Bet.
The suspect, an information systems student at Ben Gurion University in Beersheba, hails from Deir al-Asad, an Arab village in northern Israel.
He was taken into custody in June and is expected to face formal charges soon. Officials have not confirmed whether the arrest took place before or during the recent 12-day conflict involving Iran.
Investigators allege that the student maintained contact with an Iranian operative over several months and carried out “security-related activities” in exchange for payment. These acts reportedly included attempting to harm an individual, spreading nails on a major Beersheba roadway, and promoting social unrest.
Authorities say the suspect told investigators his actions were motivated by a sense of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
This case is the latest in a series of similar incidents in recent years, as Israeli security forces continue to uncover alleged espionage operations linked to Iran.
(dpa/NAN)