Russian-passport holder accused of spying for Iran after documenting Israeli port

A serious indictment has been filed against Bahroz Shahriv Dudoqiyev, a Tajikistani citizen holding a Russian passport, who entered Israel on a tourist visa and remained in the country as a refugee during the recent conflict. Prosecutors allege that he documented Haifa Port in exchange for cryptocurrency payments and attempted to recruit spies in Ashdod and Tel Aviv on behalf of Iranian intelligence.

The defendant, who arrived in Israel as a civilian seeking refuge during the fighting, is accused of conducting espionage activities against critical Israeli infrastructure. According to the charges, he used encrypted communications and cryptocurrency transactions to conceal payments received for intelligence gathering.

Allegations suggest the suspect went beyond passive intelligence collection, actively attempting to recruit additional operatives in two major Israeli cities. This recruitment effort reportedly targeted locations with strategic significance to Israel’s security and economic interests.

The case raises questions about security screening procedures for refugees and tourists entering Israel during periods of conflict, and highlights the vulnerability of sensitive civilian infrastructure to espionage attempts. Authorities have not disclosed details about how the suspected spy ring was discovered or how long the alleged activities had been ongoing before his arrest.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.