As part of a joint operation by the Shin Bet security agency and the Northern District Central Unit of Israel Police, Shuma Abu Aabed, an Israeli citizen from Nazareth, was arrested during March on suspicion of committing security offenses involving contact with agents from an enemy state and carrying out assignments under their direction in exchange for payment.
Her interrogation found that since last October, Shumou had been in contact with a foreign agent and had carried out numerous assignments for that person, including photographing security sites in Israel, Israel Defense Forces bases and the oil refineries in Haifa, as well as passing information about an Israeli citizen who formerly served in the defense establishment.
The investigation also found that Shumou carried out the assignments even though she had already suspected in the early stages of the contact that she was being handled by an Iranian agent. She received payment through a digital wallet, which investigators were able to locate and seize, recovering hundreds of dollars she had been paid for the assignments.
After the investigation was completed last week, an indictment was filed against Shumou along with a request to remand her until the end of proceedings, submitted to the Nazareth District Court sitting in Nof Hagalil.
In recent years, and particularly since Operation Rising Lion, there has been a marked increase in efforts by Iranian intelligence agents to recruit and operate Israeli citizens inside Israel.
The Shin Bet and Israel Police again warned Israeli citizens and residents against maintaining contact with foreign agents from an enemy state and/or with unidentified parties, and against carrying out assignments for them in exchange for payment or for any other reason. The Shin Bet and police said that beyond the severe harm to state security, those who involve themselves in such activity risk criminal prosecution and severe punishment.
