Israeli man indicted for spying for Iran, targeting sensitive installations
A 29-year-old Israeli man was indicted on Thursday for spying for Iran.
Headquarters of the Lahav 433 Israel police department tasked with investigating national crimes and corruption on Dec. 20, 2016. Photo by Israel Blizovski/TPS
According to the indictment filed in Central District Court, Alexander Granovsky, a resident of Petah Tikva, passed information to an Iranian agent about sensitive installations and engaged in acts of vandalism.
The foreign agent reportedly contacted Granovsky through Telegram, offering payment via a digital wallet for carrying out security-related missions. On the agent’s instructions, Granovsky filmed several locations, including MK Benny Gantz’s residential neighbourhood and power plants in Hadera and Reading. He sent these recordings to the agent and even demanded additional payment for further tasks.
On the agent’s instructions, Granovsky defaced property with political graffiti and set fire to vehicles.
In December, the agent requested Granovsky to purchase weapons, destroy IDF uniforms, and act as an intermediary to recruit individuals with criminal records for violent acts. According to the indictment, Granovsky complied, providing the agent with details of two individuals with criminal records.
Granovsky also agreed to produce Molotov cocktails but failed to complete the task due to language barriers. To avoid detection, the agent allegedly provided detailed instructions on how Granovsky could disguise his identity, such as wearing unmarked clothing and choosing locations without surveillance cameras.
Despite knowing the agent’s hostile intent against the State of Israel, Granovsky is said to have willingly cooperated and even initiated offers for additional assignments. He reportedly pleaded with the agent for more significant tasks. In return for his actions, Granovsky received thousands of dollars in digital payments.
The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) reported on Tuesday that it broke up 13 espionage plots in 2024. Of the 37 Israelis arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran, 27 were indicted.
Hard to comprehend. This man is a traitor and for such acts deserves life imprisonment.