Alleged Iranian Spy Indicted in Hamburg for Planning Attacks on Jewish Targets
Hamburg, May 21 – The Federal Prosecutor’s Office has filed charges before the Hanseatic Higher Regional Court in Hamburg against a suspected Iranian spy and his accomplice. They are accused of having spied on Jewish individuals in Germany on behalf of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards to prepare for potential attacks.
Accusations Against the Danish National
The authorities accuse the Danish national of working for the intelligence service of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. In early 2025, he allegedly received orders to gather information on Josef Schuster, the current President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, and former Bundestag member Volker Beck (Greens), chairman of the German-Israeli Society. He was also tasked with scouting two Jewish food retailers in Berlin.
According to the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, these espionage activities were intended to prepare for murder and arson attacks in Germany. Furthermore, he allegedly sought accomplices for these potential attacks.
Afghan Accomplice Also Arrested
By May 2025 at the latest, the alleged spy reportedly made contact with an Afghan national. The Federal Prosecutor’s Office stated that this individual agreed to procure a weapon for an unknown third party and to incite him to commit a murder attempt on Volker Beck. Both suspects were arrested on June 26, 2025, and November 5, 2025, in Denmark.
Following their arrests, the men first entered German territory in Flensburg, where Danish authorities handed them over during their extradition. The Hamburg State Protection Senate is therefore responsible for the case, leading to their indictment before the Hanseatic Higher Regional Court. The Attorney General’s Office declined to comment on the location where the two defendants are being held in pre-trial detention.
Further Details on the Alleged Plot
The indictment raises serious questions about planned attacks on behalf of the Revolutionary Guards. The Attorney General’s Office has charged two men who allegedly planned an attack on Iranian orders. Apparently, this also involved the presidents of the Central Council of Jews and the German-Israeli Society. Further information is available on tagesschau.de.
Context and Implications
This case highlights ongoing concerns about foreign intelligence activities within Germany and the potential threats posed to prominent figures and communities. The meticulous nature of the alleged espionage, targeting specific individuals and institutions, suggests a significant level of planning and intent behind the suspected plot.
The involvement of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, a powerful military and intelligence organization, underscores the geopolitical dimensions of this case. German authorities are taking these allegations very seriously, emphasizing the importance of protecting national security and safeguarding its citizens from foreign aggression.
The trial at the Hanseatic Higher Regional Court will likely shed more light on the extent of the alleged plot, the methods used by the suspected spies, and the broader implications for security within Germany and its Jewish community. The close cooperation between Danish and German authorities in the arrests and extradition demonstrates a concerted effort to counter such threats.
The legal proceedings will aim to establish the full scope of the defendants’ activities and their connection to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, providing crucial insights into the nature of foreign intelligence operations on German soil.
Source: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/hamburg/anschlaege-auf-juden-geplant-mutmasslicher-spion-angeklagt,spion-114.html
