Iranian agent indicted in Germany for spying on Israel-affiliated group

A 31-year-old Pakistani suspect, arrested in early July for spying on an Israel-affiliated group in Germany on behalf of Iran, has now been indicted. 

A Pakistani man was indicted in Germany this past Monday on suspicion of conducting espionage activities in the country on behalf of the Iranian regime.

The indictment charges the  31-year-old suspect, referred to as “Syed Mustufa H,” with spying on the head of the German-Israel Friendship Society. The prosecutors said that Mustafa H was paid for transmitting information about the organization to Iran.

The suspect was arrested in early July of 2016 in the city of Bremen. Prosecutors concluded back then that Mustafa H had been “in contact with an intelligence unit attributed to Iran.” For his part, the former head of the German-Israel Friendship society, Reinhold Robbe, told the Bild newspaper, at the time of Mustafa’s arrest, that he “will not be intimidated” by Iran’s attempts to spy on him and the organization.

If convicted, the suspect is expected to face up to five years in prison.

Germany has made it clear to Iran that it is strongly troubled with the regime’s refusal to accept Israel’s existence. Back in October, German Vice-Chancellor and Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel said that full normalization of ties with Iran can only take place if the Iranian regime accepts the existence of the State of Israel.

By: Jonathan Benedek, World Israel News

EspionageGermanyIranSigmar Gabriel