Israeli Court Convicts 22-Year-Old Citizen of Spying for Iran

A Jerusalem court convicted Elimelech Stern, 22, of espionage for Iran after he admitted carrying out missions arranged via Telegram with an Iranian intelligence handler.

A Jerusalem district court has convicted 22-year-old Israeli citizen Elimelech Stern of espionage after he carried out missions on behalf of an Iranian intelligence operative.

According to court records, Stern admitted during Shin Bet questioning that he was in contact via Telegram with a handler using the alias “Ana Elena.”

Prosecutors said Stern recruited two other Israelis to assist him. In one incident, posters bearing bloody handprints and anti-Israel slogans were displayed in parts of Tel Aviv.

He was also instructed to leave a threatening package near the home of Ronen Shaul, Israel’s representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency, but ultimately refused.

Court documents further revealed he ignored other assignments, including sending grotesque packages to officials and attempting to set fire to a Jerusalem forest, fearing arrest and prosecution.

Stern’s conviction is one of the few espionage cases against alleged Iranian recruits in Israel to reach a verdict. Most similar investigations remain under judicial review.

Israeli authorities say Tehran has used social media networks, particularly Telegram, to lure citizens into seemingly minor tasks that escalate into espionage and plots targeting officials.

The case highlights growing concerns in Israel about Iran’s covert recruitment efforts and the ability of its intelligence services to exploit online platforms for hostile operations.

By delivering a rare conviction, Israeli courts signaled that collaboration with foreign adversaries will be met with strict punishment to deter future attempts at infiltration.

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