Israeli Soldier Faces Death Sentence for Spying for Iran, Received Crypto as Payment

TapChiBitcoin

According to The Times of Israel, Raz Cohen, 26 years old, a reserve soldier in Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, has been charged with leaking sensitive military information to Iranian agents and receiving approximately $1,000 in cryptocurrency as compensation. Facing serious charges, the defendant could face life imprisonment or even the death penalty.

Investigations revealed that over several months, Cohen transferred information related to the operation of the Iron Dome system, the locations of airbases, and a list of Israeli officials to Iranian intelligence. Police confirmed that the defendant maintained long-term contact with these agents and was paid to carry out assigned tasks.

A joint investigation by the International Crime Investigation Unit and Shin Bet security agency stated that Cohen, residing in Jerusalem, was instructed by Iran to carry out a series of security-related activities, including transmitting classified information and supporting intelligence operations.

After his arrest, Cohen was charged in Jerusalem District Court with supporting the enemy during wartime, transmitting information to harm national security, and providing information that could assist the adversary.

However, the charges indicate that Cohen’s alleged activities took place months before the current conflict erupted.

Under Israeli law, supporting the enemy during wartime can result in life imprisonment or the death penalty, though the death penalty is rarely applied.

Authorities emphasized that Cohen was fully aware he was collaborating with Iranian agents and was paid to perform these tasks. Additionally, he provided information about military facilities and the identities of Israeli security officials to the opposing side.

In a joint statement, Israeli police and Shin Bet warned the public to absolutely avoid contact with foreign agents from hostile countries or individuals of unknown identity. Carrying out missions on behalf of these entities, whether for money or other reasons, can lead to serious legal consequences.

Authorities also stated that intelligence agencies and terrorist groups from hostile nations are actively seeking to recruit Israeli citizens for espionage, security, and terrorist activities, including through social media platforms.

Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to Disclaimer.

Related Articles

Crypto Hacks Fuel Wall Street Tokenization Debate

High-profile crypto exploits test DeFi risk yet unlikely derail tokenization; institutions favor permissioned chains, while broader tokenization must interoperate with DeFi; stablecoins face scrutiny and possible regulatory backlash.

CryptoFrontier2h ago

The UK Financial Conduct Authority launches its first crackdown on illegal peer-to-peer cryptocurrency trading

The FCA’s first wave of enforcement actions, working together with HMRC and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit, raided multiple London locations suspected of running unregistered P2P cryptocurrency trading venues, issuing stop orders and bringing the matters into a criminal investigation. Experts say such unregistered platforms are illegal and carry high risk, and regulators will strengthen oversight gaps with regulations such as those on anti-money laundering. The UK is gradually building a cryptocurrency regulatory framework, with full implementation expected by 2027; in 2026, a registration application channel will be opened, and investors should carefully assess risks.

ChainNewsAbmedia4h ago

SpaceX $60B Cursor Deal Fuels SBF's Pardon Push as FTX's $200K Stake Now Worth $3B

Gate News message, April 22 — SpaceX announced a major partnership with AI coding startup Cursor today, with an option to acquire the company for $60 billion. The deal has given fresh ammunition to Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), who is currently incarcerated and pushing for a presidential pardon, as it de

GateNews4h ago

Syed Sameer steps in as power broker in Justin Sun–WLFI standoff

Sameer Group CEO Syed Sameer is offering to broker a private deal to unfreeze Justin Sun's blacklisted WLFI tokens, drawing backlash from retail holders shut out of negotiations. Summary Sameer Group CEO Syed Sameer has publicly offered to broker a deal to unfreeze Justin Sun's blacklisted WLFI

Cryptonews5h ago

DOJ Launches Compensation Process for OneCoin Fraud Victims, $40M+ in Recovered Assets Available

Gate News message, April 22 — The U.S. Department of Justice has announced the launch of a compensation process for victims of the OneCoin cryptocurrency fraud scheme, with more than $40 million in recovered assets now available for distribution. The scheme, operated between 2014 and 2019 by Ruja

GateNews8h ago

UK FCA Conducts Coordinated Raids on Illegal P2P Crypto Trading Sites in London

FCA raids eight London sites tied to unregistered P2P crypto trading, issuing cease-and-desist notices. Evidence points to money-laundering and terror-financing probes; no P2P platform is FCA-registered; enforcement signals a tougher AML crackdown. Abstract: The FCA, with tax authorities and police, conducted surprise raids at eight London sites linked to unregistered peer-to-peer crypto trading, issuing cease-and-desist notices. The operation underpins ongoing money-laundering and terrorist-financing probes. No P2P platform is FCA-registered in the UK. Analysts view the action as a shift from statements to enforcement, signaling potential broader crackdowns under AML and financial-promotion rules for crypto assets, which remain high-risk investments.

GateNews8h ago
Comment
0/400
No comments