Doron Buchbaza, a 29-year-old Israeli engineer, has been indicted for attempting to sell classified information to Iranian intelligence, including access to Israel’s nuclear facility. Arrested after months of communication via Telegram, he performed tasks for payment in cryptocurrency and misrepresented his access to sensitive sites. Israeli authorities have issued warnings about foreign espionage attempts targeting citizens.
An Israeli engineer, Doron Buchbaza, 29, has been indicted for purportedly initiating communication with Iranian intelligence to sell classified information including details regarding access to Israel’s nuclear research facility. Arrested last month, Buchbaza had been interacting with his Iranian contacts from December to February, performing various tasks and receiving payments in cryptocurrency.
According to the indictment filed at the Be’er Sheva District Court, Buchbaza allegedly reached out to Iranian operatives through Telegram, openly expressing his desire to cooperate. He claimed to have access to sensitive locations and provided publicly available information about the Negev Nuclear Research Center, which he falsely indicated he could access, while also fulfilling tasks such as photographing local sites.
Authorities contend that Buchbaza was fully cognizant of the risk to national security posed by his interactions with Iranian operatives. Among his activities, he sent videos depicting local supermarket prices, communicated potential Israeli military actions to his handler, and made dubious claims regarding a communications rack linked to nuclear operations.
In response to Buchbaza’s indictment, Shin Bet and police officials have cautioned the public against engaging with foreign contacts who might represent enemy states. They reported ongoing efforts by Iranian operatives to recruit Israelis for espionage and outlined social media as a primary platform for such recruitment.
The indictment of Doron Buchbaza reflects a troubling pattern of Israeli citizens, including military reservists, being pursued by Iranian intelligence for espionage, leading to several arrests and ongoing investigations into these activities.
Doron Buchbaza, an Israeli engineer, has been charged with attempting to sell sensitive information to Iranian intelligence, which included claims of access to the Negev Nuclear Research Center. His case adds to a concerning trend of Iranian recruitment of Israeli citizens for espionage, prompting security agencies to issue warnings about the potential dangers of engaging with foreign entities. Law enforcement continues to prioritize the identification and prosecution of such espionage cases.
Original Source: www.ynetnews.com
