Ali Jafari: Severe blow to Mossad
Photo: AFP
Iran seeks death penalty for 'Mossad spies'
After announcing it uncovered an espionage ring working for Israel, Islamic Republic says ring composed of three Iranians trained by 'senior Mossad agents' in technological warfare, explosives
Tehran's attorney general, Saeed Mortazavi, has said he intends to seek the death penalty for three Iranian citizens accused of spying on Israel's behalf, Iranian news agency ISNA reported.
Mortazavi said during a press conference that the three had been trained in Tel Aviv "by senior Mossad agents." He was quoted as saying that the accused men "used very advanced communication and satellite equipment in order to contact the Mossad."
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The men had been caught with digital cameras, which they had allegedly used in order to document different sites in the country, as well as satellite GPS equipment and laptop computers outfitted with special programs used to send and receive messages.
According to the attorney general, the three men had been in contact with Mossad agents who went by the names Sally, Peter, Husru, Sammy, and Zacky. He claimed they had been trained in four foreign countries before being brought to Israel to train in Herzliya, Tel Aviv, and Caesarea.
Mortazavi said they were trained in warfare, assassination, explosive devices, operational motorcycle driving, and the execution of terrorist acts with the use of computers and satellites.
The attorney general also recounted the manner in which the alleged spies had been caught. "The first member of the ring was discovered upon arriving in Iran, in light of the fact that his mission was to get close to a number of Revolutionary Guard commanders," he said.
Mortazavi said that once the accused man had been found out he was "doubled", meaning the authorities began to use him in order to trace the other two members.
On Monday Iranian Revolutionary Guard Commander Mohammad Ali Jafari said security forces had uncovered a Mossad espionage network that had been "trying to gather intelligence about the Iranian nuclear program, about the working of the Revolutionary Guard and about various people."
He described the discovery as "a severe blow to the Mossad." Iran is trying to demonstrate that it can outwit the Western intelligence agencies which are constantly trying to get information about its nuclear development program.
On Saturday, Iran said that Ali Ashtari, a 43-year-old Iranian who was convicted of spying for Israel, was executed.
