Israeli authorities have arrested and charged an Israeli soldier with spying for Iran in exchange for cryptocurrency.
The soldier was arrested in September after a joint investigation by the internal security agency Shin Bet, the Israel Police and the Military Police, and is suspected of “committing serious security crimes, including having contacts with Iranian intelligence agents and acting on their instructions.”
Military prosecutors have formally indicted the soldier on charges including intent to harm state security, providing information for the benefit of the enemy and maintaining contact with a foreign agent.
The Shin Bet, the police and the Israeli army say that the investigation revealed that the soldier had been in contact with Iranian agents for about a year. During this time, he provided sensitive information about his unit’s military activities, IDF preparations and troop calls.
Prosecutors say the soldier sent the Iranian handler information about military bases and their coordinates, and also sent images of air defense systems, military vehicles and US refueling planes installed at an Israeli airport.
Prosecutors added that the Israeli soldier was also offered $200,000 to travel to Iran.
