Illustration depicting replicas of missile launcher systems placed in front of the Iranian and Israeli flags, displayed on a computer screen, on April 15, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto)
The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) and the Israel Police announced on Monday the arrest of two reserve soldiers accused of passing classified materials to Iranian agents in exchange for money.
The arrests were a joint operation by Shin Bet and the Israel Police’s Lahav 433 unit. The two Israelis from the Kiryat Shmona, Yuri Eliaspov and Georgi Andreev, were arrested earlier this month.
“The Shin Bet and the Israel Police arrested two Israeli citizens who carried out missions for the Iranians, one of whom passed classified material to his operator that he obtained during his military service in the air defense system,” the Shin Bet said in a statement about the arrest.
The Shin Bet and police investigation revealed that Yuri Eliaspov had been in contact with an Iranian official for several months, and had carried out security missions under his direction for financial compensation.
Eliaspov carried out missions involving writing pro-Iranian graffiti at various locations in the country, and had also passed to his (Iranian) operator classified material that he had obtained during his military service in the Iron Dome air defense system.
Eliaspov was also responsible for recruiting his friend Andreev to carry out missions for the agents, despite knowing they represented an entity hostile to Israel.
Reports indicate that Eliaspov was paid approximately $2,500 for his actions, while the amount received by Andreev was not specified.
Andreev accepted Eliaspov’s offer and began to make contact with the operator, while carrying out similar missions and assisting Eliaspov with a sign-hanging mission under the direction of the Iranian operator.
The investigation revealed that both Eliaspov and Andreev clearly understood that they were in contact with an Iranian operator, especially after the publication of media reports revealing the arrest and interrogation of other Israeli citizens caught working with Iranian intelligence.
The investigation revealed that Iranian agents are actively trying to recruit more Israelis through social media.
Authorities asked the Israeli public to report any incidents of suspicious contact, including by social media, offering jobs or assignments against Israeli interests.
The Shin Bet and Israel Police issued another warning to Israeli citizens and residents against contacting foreign entities or carrying out missions for them.
“We urge Israeli citizens and residents to avoid any contact with foreign operatives and to reject offers to carry out tasks on their behalf. We will act with full severity against those involved in such activities,” the statement said.
