Germany: Danish citizen arrested for alleged Iran spying – DW – 07/01/2025
A Danish citizen has been arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran, German prosecutors said Tuesday.
According to the prosecutors, the man's suspected aim was to collect information on Jewish sites and individuals in Berlin.
The man allegedly spied on three properties in June 2025, with him preparing for further intelligence activities, possibly terrorist attacks on Jewish targets, according to prosecutors.
The statement did not specify the sites and individuals involved, although a report by German magazine said the suspect took pictures of houses, including the headquarters of the German-Israeli Society (DIG), a Germany-wide organization that promotes relations with Israel.
The report also said the man had received orders from the Quds Force, the Revolutionary Guards' overseas arm that supports militant groups classified as terrorist organizations in Germany, such as Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as the Houthis in Yemen.
Prosecutors said the man had "received an order from an Iranian intelligence service to collect information on Jewish localities and specific Jewish individuals" in the German capital.
In accordance with German privacy law, the man was identified only as Ali S. His arrest took place in the Danish city of Aarhus in cooperation with local police, according to the prosecutors.
The Iranian embassy has not yet responded to the allegations.
While the ceasefire between Iran and Israel seems to be holding, Western intelligence agencies believe Iran is still trying to carry out attacks against Jewish and Israeli targets in Western countries.
In Germany, where Jewish sites are often guarded by constant police presence due to fears of attacks, security was bolstered further after the war between Israel and Iran broke out.
Germany is one of Israel's closest allies, while its relations with Iran are rather tense.
In October 2024, all three Iranian consulates in Germany were shut in response to Iran's execution of Iranian-German prisoner Jamshid Sharmahd, leaving the Iranian embassy in Berlin as Tehran's only official representation in the country.
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