Israeli sentenced to 12 years for Iran-backed plot

A 73-year-old Israeli, Moti Maman, received a 12-year sentence for spying for Iran and plotting to assassinate Israeli leaders including the country’s PM and defense chief.

The prosecution said, “There is a vital need for deterrence”, as record numbers of Iran-backed plots were foiled in the country last year alongside Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza and conflict with Iran’s allies in the region.

Maman’s sons testified on his behalf, and said that he apologized and asked for mercy. His defense attorney Eyal Basarglik said the sentence was “unfounded."

The businessman who was based in Turkey, but hailed from northern Israel, had entered Iran and met with agents who had instructed him to carry out operations in Israel.

He had asked for an advance of the money to be paid by Iran, which according to Israel’s Ynet, is the reason he did not take the terror operation further.

Prosecutors said that discussions between the defendant and Iranian agents included plans for funding operations against Israel, providing photographic intelligence of Israeli targets, and establishing assassination cells in Russia and the US to target Iranian dissidents.

According to the prosecution, Maman confessed to the charges during 14 Shin Bet interrogations and four additional police interrogations.

"Throughout these interrogations, he revealed the extent of his crime to the investigators and consistently stood by his confession, enriching it with facts and details," the prosecution’s statement said.

The number of people arrested in Israel over Iranian spy plots shot up by 400% in 2024 according to Israel’s Shin Bet intelligence agency.

“During the year, 13 serious espionage affairs by Israelis were exposed and thwarted for the Iranian intelligence agencies, and serious indictments were filed against 27 Israelis,” a statement said.