A resident of Petah Tikva in central Israel has been arrested for plotting to assassinate a prominent figure at the direction of Iran, the Israel Police announced on Wednesday.
Vladimir Verhovski, 35, from Petah Tikva, “carried out various tasks” for Iranian sources in exchange for payment, according to police. Verhovski had allegedly agreed to murder an Israeli scientist in exchange for $100,000, and had already acquired a weapon to carry out the hit.
He also spray painted graffiti, posted flyers and gathered information on an Israeli official, according to the statement. Verhovski communicated with his Iranian operators in English through the purchase and use of a special phone, according to police.
He was set to appear in court on Wednesday for an extension of his remand.
On Monday, Israeli authorities revealed they had uncovered a network of Iranian intelligence operatives working to recruit and activate Israeli citizens.
As part of this operation, police arrested Vladislav Viktorson, a 30-year-old Ramat Gan resident, for questioning. Investigators found that since August, Viktorson had been in contact via social media with an individual using the name “Mari Hossi.” Their communications were conducted in Hebrew.
Under the direction of an Iranian operative, and fully aware of the handler’s identity, Viktorson allegedly carried out various tasks. According to police, these included spray-painting graffiti, hanging posters, planting money and torching vehicles in north Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park. He was later instructed to sabotage communication infrastructure and ATMs and to set forest fires.
Some of these activities were documented, and Viktorson received more than $5,000 for their execution, according to police. The investigation revealed that Viktorson had agreed to assassinate a prominent figure in Israel and to throw a grenade at a house. Following this, he allegedly took steps to acquire weapons, including a sniper rifle, handguns and fragmentation grenades.
Last month, authorities said they had arrested a Jewish Israeli businessman on suspicion of having met with Iranian intelligence operatives and assisting them in planning high-profile assassinations, including of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
