Report: Four Israelis Investigated for Spying in Romania

Four Israelis, including two former Mossad agents, are currently under investigation for spying on a Romanian government official, The Times of Israel said on Wednesday, citing Romanian journalists.

Romanian news site Romania Insider revealed that the two founders and directors of private Israeli investigation firm Black Cube were arrested on suspicion of spying on the country’s chief anti-corruption prosecutor, Laura Codruta Kovesi.

Black Cube denied the accusation and said they were not under investigation, but did acknowledge that the two had been arrested. The company founders, the former Mossad agents named in the report are Dan Zorella and Avi Yanus.

In a statement released in response to the reports, the company claimed its employees were themselves investigating claims of corruption by the Romanian government.

​“Recently, the company undertook a project in Romania to collect evidence of serious corruption in the Romanian government and its agencies. Whilst performing this work, two of the company’s employees were arrested after having made significant discoveries,” the statement read.

“Needless to say, all of Black Cube’s employees follow local law to the letter, and the allegations against them are unfounded and untrue. We have total confidence that the truth will be revealed, and they will both be released safely to return home in the coming days.”