Israeli security authorities have arrested an Israeli citizen on suspicion of spying for Iran, in a case that has raised serious national security concerns. The investigation revealed that some of the suspect’s alleged activities included photographing areas near the home of former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.
The arrest was announced in a joint statement by the Israel Police and the Israel Security Agency, also known as the Shin Bet. Officials said the suspect carried out intelligence-related tasks for Iranian handlers over a period of about two months. The activities reportedly involved gathering information and sending photographs in return for money.
Authorities stressed that cooperation with hostile foreign intelligence services is a serious crime and warned the public again about the dangers of such contact.
Israeli Citizen Vadim Kupriyanov Detained in Espionage Investigation
The suspect was identified as Vadim Kupriyanov, an Israeli man in his 40s from the central city of Rishon Letzion. He was arrested earlier this month after investigators uncovered evidence linking him to Iranian intelligence operations.
According to the investigation, Kupriyanov was instructed by his handlers to perform a range of security-related tasks. These included taking photographs in his city of residence and in other locations across Israel. Among the areas photographed were locations near the private residence of former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.
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Officials said Kupriyanov transferred the photographs to his Iranian contacts and received varying sums of money in exchange. The payments reportedly differed depending on the task assigned. Authorities did not disclose the total amount of money involved.
The investigation was led by the International Crime Investigations division of the National Major Crime Unit, known as Lahav 433, in cooperation with the Shin Bet. Prosecutors were expected to file an indictment against Kupriyanov in the Central District Court in Lod.
Security agencies emphasized that even tasks that may appear harmless, such as taking photos, can pose serious risks to national security when carried out for hostile actors.
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The case drew added attention due to its connection to Naftali Bennett, who served as Israel’s prime minister from June 2021 to June 2022. Bennett is currently preparing a political return ahead of next year’s election with his “Bennett 2026” party.
Following news of the arrest, Bennett stated that Iran’s attempts to harm him would not stop him from continuing his public mission. He included a message of resilience, saying “Am Yisrael Chai,” meaning “The people of Israel live.”
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The espionage case comes shortly after Bennett confirmed that his official Telegram account had been hacked on December 17. According to a statement from his office, the breach exposed his contact list, photos, and chat messages. Some of the material shared online was described as real, while other content was fabricated, including a false image involving Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion.
Bennett’s office said the information was obtained illegally and that distributing it constitutes a criminal offense. Iranian hacker group Handala later claimed responsibility for the cyberattack and mocked Bennett’s background in cybersecurity.
Israeli security officials noted that this case is part of a broader pattern. Since the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, authorities say they have uncovered at least three dozen cases in which Iran allegedly attempted to recruit Israeli citizens for intelligence purposes.
Security agencies said they will continue efforts to identify and prevent espionage and terror-related activity and will act firmly against anyone involved in assisting hostile foreign intelligence services.
