According to the indictment filed Friday, Eli Levon, 21, a student at the prestigious Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem, allegedly photographed the central bus station, a building in the Bukharim neighborhood, and other locations for Iranian handlers, and was asked to recruit fellow yeshiva students. He received approximately 4,225 shekels in cryptocurrency.
New details from the indictment filed Friday against Eli Levon, 21, a student at the Mir Yeshiva, reveal that he received approximately 4,225 shekels in cryptocurrency for spying tasks and was asked to recruit fellow students from the yeshiva. The investigation, led by the Shin Bet and Jerusalem police, uncovered that Levon photographed the Jerusalem central bus station and other locations, hid a USB drive and a cigarette box containing a note reading 'the work is complete' at a mall, and sent his passport photo to Iranian handlers. The indictment was filed at 10:47 Jerusalem.
The Zioneer first reported the indictment at 10:47 Jerusalem, initially identifying the suspect as a young Jerusalem resident. By 12:12 and 12:28, The Zioneer published further details, revealing the suspect's full name and American citizenship, and the nature of his tasks including photographing sites and performing 'dead drops' for cryptocurrency payments. The latest update, published Friday, April 4, 2026, 12:28 PM Jerusalem, adds the specific payment amount of 4,225 shekels and the request to recruit other students. Corroboration has evolved from initial media reports to an official indictment filed by the Jerusalem District Attorney's office, providing specific charges and evidence.
The case is part of a broader pattern of Iranian intelligence efforts to recruit Israeli civilians, as The Zioneer reported on June 9, 2026, regarding the indictment of Raanan Ohana, 44, of Haifa, for performing security tasks for Iranian intelligence in exchange for cryptocurrency during 'Operation Roaring Lion.' The Shin Bet has warned of such attempts, particularly during wartime.
It remains unclear whether any of the yeshiva students Levon allegedly attempted to recruit agreed to cooperate with Iranian handlers. Levon's defense attorney has not yet commented publicly.
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