Report: Iran Linked Agent Planned to Assassinate Jewish Community Leader in Germany
German prosecutors say the suspect gathered intelligence on Josef Schuster and Volker Beck as part of preparations for murder and arson attacks
German authorities have filed serious charges against two men accused of planning attacks on Jewish and pro-Israel figures in Germany on behalf of Iranian intelligence, according to German prosecutors and media reports. The case was first reported by Der Spiegel and later confirmed by Germany’s Federal Public Prosecutor.
The main targets were Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, and Volker Beck, a former Green Party lawmaker who heads the German-Israeli Society. Prosecutors say the suspects gathered intelligence on both men as part of preparations for possible assassination attacks.
According to the indictment, the central suspect is Ali S., a 54-year-old Danish citizen of Afghan origin. German prosecutors allege that he worked for the intelligence service of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and maintained close contact with the IRGC’s Quds Force, the unit responsible for operations outside Iran.
Prosecutors say that at the beginning of 2025, Ali S. was instructed to collect detailed information on Schuster and Beck. He was also allegedly ordered to surveil two Jewish food retailers in Berlin. According to the prosecution, the surveillance was intended to prepare “murder and arson attacks” in Germany.
During the spring of 2025, Ali S. allegedly scouted several locations in Berlin and searched for accomplices who could help carry out the attacks. By May 2025, prosecutors say he had contacted a second suspect, Tawab M., a 52-year-old Afghan national, who allegedly agreed to help obtain a firearm and arrange for an unidentified third person to assassinate Beck.
The indictment was filed on May 7 before the state security division of the Higher Regional Court in Hamburg. Ali S. faces charges including espionage, acting as an agent for sabotage purposes, and attempted participation in murder and arson. Tawab M. has been charged with attempted participation in murder.
The two men were arrested in Denmark last year. Ali S. was detained in June 2025, while Tawab M. was arrested in November. Following Ali S.’s arrest, Germany summoned Iran’s ambassador. The Iranian embassy denied involvement at the time, calling the allegations unfounded.
The case has renewed concern in Germany over Iranian activity against Jewish institutions and pro-Israel public figures in Europe. Beck said Germany must not stand by while foreign states allegedly seek to murder Jews and friends of Israel on German soil.