Iranwire – Israeli authorities on Monday announced the arrest of two Israeli citizens for their involvement in acts of sabotage and a plot to assassinate a senior Israeli figure, allegedly at the behest of the Islamic Republic.
According to a joint statement by the Israeli security agency (Shin Bet) and the police, Vladislav Viktorson, 30, from Ramat Gan, was contacted last August via social media by an Iranian agent identified as “Mari Hossi.”
Subsequently, Viktorson recruited his 18-year-old partner, Anna Bernstein, and another unnamed Ramat Gan resident.
Under Hossi’s direction, the group carried out various acts of vandalism and sabotage, including spraying provocative graffiti, setting fire to cars near Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park, and committing arson in local forests.
The statement revealed that Viktorson was aware of Hossi’s Iranian affiliation.
The Iranian agent reportedly gave instructions in Hebrew and also requested the sabotage of ATMs and communication infrastructure, as well as the photographing of protesters at political rallies and recruitment of homeless individuals for additional activities.
Hossi further tasked Viktorson with assassinating a prominent Israeli figure by throwing a hand grenade into their home.
Viktorson agreed to the plot and attempted to acquire weapons, including sniper rifles, pistols, and grenades. The intended target was not named in the statement.
“This investigation once again exposes the Iranian intelligence agencies’ efforts to recruit and exploit Israeli citizens for espionage and terrorist activities in Israel,” a senior Shin Bet official said in the statement.