Two Ashkelon residents have been indicted on suspicion of carrying out surveillance assignments for Iranian intelligence operatives, police and the Shin Bet said Thursday.
The suspects were identified as Israeli citizen Tramilan Amushkov and Ukrainian citizen Alina Kushnirko. Both were arrested in July in a joint operation by the Israel Police’s Lahav 433 international crime unit and the Shin Bet.
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According to investigators, Amushkov had been in contact in recent months with an Iranian foreign agent and carried out a series of security-related assignments in exchange for payments made in cryptocurrency. Authorities said some of the tasks were carried out together with Kushnirko.
Investigators said the Iranian operative instructed Amushkov to travel to Eilat and purchase a high-end cellphone with advanced camera capabilities. Several thousand shekels were allegedly transferred to him for the purchase so he could carry out higher-quality surveillance assignments.
Among the locations he was allegedly asked to photograph were Eilat Port, a museum and the cemetery at Mount Herzl. Authorities said Amushkov continued carrying out the assignments despite understanding that he was working for an Iranian agent.
An indictment was filed against both suspects Thursday by the Tel Aviv District Attorney’s Office at the Tel Aviv District Court.
Police and the Shin Bet warned Israelis against maintaining contact with foreign operatives from enemy states or unidentified individuals, particularly when asked to perform paid assignments.
Security officials said Iranian intelligence and terrorist organizations continue trying to recruit Israelis through social media, job offers and other online approaches for espionage, security-related activity and potential terrorist missions.
The agencies said they would continue working to identify and disrupt espionage and terrorist activity in Israel and pursue those involved.