Iranian Spy Sentenced to Seven Years

An Israeli court has sentenced an Iranian-born Belgian national to seven years in prison after conviction on charges of spying for Iran.

In September 2013, the Shin Bet arrested Ali Mansouri at Ben-Gurion International Airport carrying photographs of the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, Ben-Gurion Airport and other sensitive sites. He was also found in possession of a review of the security procedures at the airport, such as the types of questions asked of travelers.

Mansouri, 55, belonged to a special operations unit of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard, on a mission to locate potential terror targets for Iran in Israel.

In addition, he was to use his business contacts to establish companies for Iranian intelligence services in order to “harm Israeli and Western interests.” Mansouri was promised $1 million for his services, according to the Shin Bet.

He was sentenced for “aiding an enemy during war” and “espionage” on behalf of Iran’s elite Republican Guard, documents submitted in the Central District Court in Lod showed on Tuesday.

Mansouri’s defense attorney Avigdor Feldman said that no appeal was expected from his client.

“The court heard our arguments that the security of Israel was not compromised,” Feldman told AFP.

“It was the Iranian secret services who put pressure on him and his family and we feel that this verdict was rather fair and reasonable in view of the circumstances.”

This article appeared in print on page 6 of the April 23rd, 2015 edition of Hamodia.