Shimon Azarzar, a 27-year-old resident of Kiryat Yam, faces serious charges of espionage for allegedly collaborating with Iranian intelligence. The indictment, filed on October 29, 2023, at the Haifa District Court, outlines accusations that Azarzar transmitted sensitive military information to Iranian operatives over the course of a year. He and his girlfriend, who is a reservist in the Israeli Air Force, were arrested in October on suspicion of gathering intelligence under Iranian direction.
According to statements from the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) and the Israel Police, Azarzar is accused of sending photos and precise coordinates of strategic locations within Israel to foreign agents. His girlfriend reportedly assisted him by utilizing her access to military information to gather additional intelligence on the operations of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The charges against Azarzar include unauthorized contact with a foreign agent and offering classified materials. Authorities claim that he received payments via digital transfer for his activities, which further complicates the case against him. In a joint statement, the Shin Bet and police issued a warning to Israeli citizens, advising against maintaining contact with foreign elements, especially from enemy states, and emphasized their commitment to disrupting espionage activities.
The investigation revealed that Azarzar had sought to pass information from military bases and exploited his girlfriend’s position to access classified operational data. A second suspect was arrested shortly before Azarzar, also on charges related to espionage linked to Iran. Investigators discovered digital materials and 18 SIM cards during a search of this suspect’s residence, which were reportedly used to communicate with hostile foreign agents.
This individual allegedly photographed numerous sites, including the Tel Aviv Museum of Art and Ganei Avraham Park, upon request from an Iranian handler. Reports indicate that he received thousands of shekels in cryptocurrency as compensation for his actions. Despite the evidence, the Magistrate’s Court opted to release the second suspect without imposing house arrest.
As investigations continue, the ramifications of these espionage cases highlight significant security concerns for Israel. The authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to uncover and prevent potential threats posed by foreign intelligence operations.
