ISRAEL (VINnews) — An Israeli journalist has revealed new details about the Chassidic man who was arrested for his ties to Iran and work on the regime’s behalf. Avishai Greenzeig told Kan Reshet Bet that the resident of Beit Shemesh described to investigators how he came to realize that he was communicating with Iranian agents.
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While being questioned by the Shin Bet, he said: “I realized that ‘Ana’ (undercover name of the Iranian agent) was probably something bigger, something with the arms of an octopus, and I began to worry about myself as well. I was afraid that if I contacted the police, I would be putting myself at risk.” When further questioned, he admitted, “I suspected that they might be from enemy countries.”
When asked why he continued to accept missions for a terrorist organization, he replied that he did it “possibly to earn a bit of money.”
During one of his interrogations, he reportedly broke down and said: “I know I was wrong. I failed big time. It’s more that I continued with her, and didn’t overcome my fear and go to the police station.”
His lawyer claimed that since he is a Vizhnitzer Chasid, who has not studied Hebrew or English, he relied on Google Translate to communicate, which made it difficult for him to understand that he was communicating with a foreign agent.
Regarding the missions, he said: “I had two options, either she is outside of Israel and plans to cause chaos in Israel, or she is from the anarchist left [wing] and she plans to cause chaos.”
According to the charges filed, the 21 year old first came into contact with the agent, who identified himself by the name “Anna Elena,” through the encrypted Telegram messaging app.
The agent convinced him to carry out actions including hanging anti-Israel signs in Tel Aviv, burying cash around Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, delivering packages to the doorsteps of Israeli civilians containing the severed head of an animal or a doll next to a knife and threatening messages, setting fire to a forest and more.
“I have various missions in the cities of Israel that not everyone has the ability to do,” the Iranian agent was said to have told him, adding that “my missions have rewards from $100 to $100,000.” Israeli authorities said the suspect had agreed to carry out all the activities as requested, with the exception of committing murder and setting a forest on fire.
The indictment said he was paid in cryptocurrency
His agent was a female and description of any honey trap or lack thereof has been omitted from the story reporting in spite of its huge significance.
In Israel, if one is receiving a stipend for learning in Yeshiva, by government law he can not work legally.
Many do jobs on the side such as tutoring to make some money
I really think this guy fell into a trap and got stuck.
He couldn’t get out of it or report it to police for fear of his and family life
If u read the Hebrew version, he didn’t actually do much at all, even though she was trying hard. As an example when she asked him to light a fire he immediately answered ” I can’t do that” ..stupid yes but wasn’t any kind of a threat way way exaggerated was more like a kid talking to an ai bot and playing along
Sounds like he was a cult member.. pliable is Play-Doh and a moron to boot
Frum people know parnassah comes from Hashem and on Rosh Hashana every year it’s decided how much each person will get for the year. Thinking your hishtadlus involves anything illegal or crooked is just a lack of emunah.
See the latest report , all charges have been dropped, an idiot yes but espionage no!
When will the pidyun shevuim campaign endorsed by the Gedolim start?