Two young men from northern Israel have been detained by the Israel Police's National Unit for International Crime Investigation (Yahbal) in a case that marks a significant escalation in Iran's espionage efforts against Israel. The suspects were allegedly recruited while serving as active duty and reserve soldiers, targeting sensitive military installations.
One suspect served in an Iron
Dome battery and documented classified materials at Iranian handlers' request, while the second was stationed at the Kirya base in Tel Aviv, which is where the IDF headquarters are located as well as the Defense Ministry. On Monday, prosecutors filed a statement and requested the removal of a publication ban on their arrests. During interrogation, both suspects claimed financial hardship drove them to accept Iranian payments. The prosecution is preparing to file serious indictments.
This case represents a concerning evolution in Iranian espionage operations targeting Israel. Unlike previous cases involving civilian Israeli civilians, this operation successfully recruited two 21-year-old servicemen, Yuri Eliaspov and Georgi Adriev, during their mandatory and reserve service.
The alleged espionage activities took place during September and October 2024. Both face charges of contact with a foreign agent and transmitting classified information. Eliaspov faces an additional, more severe charge of aiding the enemy during wartime – an offense that carries potential life imprisonment or death penalty.
Investigators revealed that Iran's handlers first contacted Eliaspov in September, initially tasking him with spraying graffiti in northern Israel and Tel Aviv. Eliaspov then recruited his friend Georgi, presenting it as an opportunity for "easy money." Georgi subsequently established his own direct contact with Iranian handlers and participated in graffiti operations. Together, they also mounted a poster in northern Israel declaring "Children of Ruhollah," presumably referring the Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979 following the Islamic Revolution.
The financial compensation proved modest – Eliaspov received approximately $3,500 for his activities, while Georgi collected merely $70 before their arrest.
The investigation uncovered that the suspects had shared Israeli media reports about Iranian espionage operations. This exchange prompted Georgi to withdraw from the operation, recognizing it as potential espionage. However, Eliaspov, leveraging his position within the Iron Dome system, continued providing classified information that could compromise national security. He recorded a classified video demonstrating Iron Dome operations during his service. While he claims to have shared only portions of the footage, IDF experts assess that the video contains sensitive operational details that could benefit hostile forces.
Chief Superintendent Sarit Perez, an investigator with Yahbal's Security Division, emphasized the video's sensitive nature and issued a public warning: "I appeal to citizens. Anyone in contact with foreign elements should stop." The investigation has expanded to include associates of both suspects, including fellow service members who knew of but failed to report their activities. "The Iranians cast a net, and whoever falls into their trap gets caught," Chief Superintendent Perez noted. "Identifying them as soldiers with access to IDF information led the Iranians to focus on military intelligence, including requesting details about aircraft damage from their missile strike against Israel."
Israeli police are warning about Iran's intensifying efforts to recruit Israelis for espionage operations. In a recent incident highlighting this campaign, a 16-year-old contacted the 105 hotline at Lahav 433 to report an Iranian recruitment attempt. Police have confirmed the veracity of this report.
