Israel Arrests Security Guard Accused of Working with Iranian Handler

A 25-year-old security guard in Israel has been charged with contact with a foreign agent. According to the Haifa District Prosecutor's Office, Mohammad Khalaf was tasked by an Iranian handler to carry out various tasks and receive payment in cryptocurrency.

The prosecution claims that Khalaf found an advertisement for a courier vacancy on Telegram and contacted a person who identified himself as Martin, later revealed to be Thomas. The handler allegedly transferred money to Khalaf through the OKX app and even paid for his Telegram Premium subscription and sent him $50 in Bitcoin.

Khalaf's tasks included finding a hidden Samsung Galaxy phone, photographing its location, and filming it. He was also instructed to withdraw funds from a crypto wallet, put 300 shekels in an envelope, and hide it in a gas station restroom. The indictment states that Khalaf documented possible locations for dead drops, including one near Kibbutz Lehavot Haviva.

Khalaf's job at the youth boarding school was compromised when he shared security procedures, night shifts, and surveillance camera locations with his handler. He allegedly agreed to renew his passport ahead of a planned meeting in Paris. Khalaf has been detained since September 6 and faces a motion for custody until trial.