Germany Charges Two Men with Espionage and Murder Plot Linked to Iran
German prosecutors filed charges against a Danish national and a second man for espionage and attempted murder. The indictment alleges the pair gathered information on Jewish community leaders at the direction of Iran's Revolutionary Guard.
news.sky.comGerman prosecutors filed an indictment on May 7 against two men accused of working for Iran's Revolutionary Guard to prepare attacks on Jewish targets in Germany. The lead defendant, identified only as Ali S. under German privacy rules, faces charges of espionage, sabotage, attempted murder, and arson.
Prosecutors said he was tasked in early 2025 with collecting information on Josef Schuster, head of Germany's Central Council of Jews, and Volker Beck, head of the German-Israeli Society, along with two unnamed Jewish grocers in Berlin.
U.S. was arrested in Denmark in June 2025.
Was arrested in November and charged with attempted participation in murder. Prosecutors said Ali S. scouted locations in Berlin and sought accomplices for planned attacks. They alleged that Tawab M. stated he was prepared to obtain a weapon for a third person to use against Beck. After Ali S. was arrested, Germany's Foreign Ministry summoned Iran's ambassador.
The Iranian Embassy rejected the allegations at the time, calling them unfounded and dangerous. Prosecutors stated that Ali S. was in contact with the Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force and that the information gathering was intended to support assassination and arson attacks.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
4 events- Early 2025
Ali S. was tasked with gathering information on Jewish leaders in Germany.
1 sourceThe Independent - June 2025
Ali S. was arrested in Denmark.
1 sourceThe Independent - November 2025
Tawab M. was arrested.
1 sourceThe Independent - May 7, 2026
German prosecutors filed an indictment at Hamburg state court.
1 sourceThe Independent
Potential Impact
- 01
Germany may increase security measures around Jewish community sites.
- 02
Diplomatic relations between Germany and Iran could face further strain.
- 03
Additional investigations into suspected Iranian intelligence activity may occur.
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