A 35-year-old Israeli man, Vladimir Verhovsky, has been indicted for allegedly planning to assassinate Israeli figures on behalf of Iranian intelligence. According to the Israel Police and State Attorney’s Office, Verhovsky communicated via Telegram with an Iranian agent posing as an Israeli living in Canada, in exchange for cryptocurrency payments ranging from $30 to $200.
The indictment details various tasks he performed, including graffiti vandalism, intelligence gathering, and photographing a Tel Aviv resident. Verhovsky also agreed to kill an Israeli scientist in exchange for $100,000. He was arrested while attempting to retrieve a weapon for the planned assassination.
The prosecutor highlighted the gravity of the case, noting that it comes amid heightened tensions and ongoing conflicts involving Iran. Just days prior, two other Israelis were arrested for similar sabotage activities linked to Iranian orders, raising concerns about an increase in Iranian plots targeting Israeli officials.