The Shin Bet and the police allowed the publication today (Wednesday) that a Petach Tikva resident was arrested after agreeing to assassinate a person in Israel for $100,000 for the Iranians.
As part of a combined counterterrorism activity carried out by the Israel Security Agency and Yahav Lahav 433 in the Israel Police, an network of Iranian intelligence officials was exposed that operated to recruit and operate civilians in Israel.
Following the exposure of the Iranian activity, Vladimir Verkhovsky, 35, from Petach Tikva, was detained for interrogation after carrying out various missions for Iranian intelligence officials. Some of the tasks performed were documented by Vladimir, and payment was received for their execution. The contact between Vladimir and the Iranian officials took place in English, during which he was asked to purchase a dedicated phone.
The interrogation of the suspect and his means revealed that as part of the contact that existed between Vladimir and elements operating on behalf of Iran, Vladimir, under the instructions of the Iranian official, and aware that he was a hostile element interested in harming state security, carried out various tasks, including spraying graffiti, hanging leaflets, collecting information about an Israeli official, and planting means to carry out additional tasks by other recruits.
Later, Vladimir agreed to carry out a mission to assassinate an Israeli scientist for the sum of $ 100,000. To carry out the task, Vladimir equipped himself with weapons.
The suspect will be brought today morning for a hearing in the Lod District Court, in which he will be asked to extend his detention until the end of the proceedings. The Central District Prosecutor's Office will file a serious indictment against him.
