Arrest of Suspect in Attempt to Assassinate Israeli Scientist for Payment from the Islamic Republic

On Wednesday, October 25, Israeli police announced that a resident of Petah Tikva was arrested on charges of planning to assassinate Israeli figures on behalf of the Islamic Republic. The arrested individual, identified as 35-year-old Vladimir Verhovsky, was detained after performing various tasks for Iranian sources in exchange for payment. Israeli police stated that these activities included spray painting graffiti, hanging posters, and gathering information about an Israeli official. According to police, Verhovsky agreed to assassinate an Israeli scientist for a payment of $100,000 and was in the process of acquiring weapons for this assassination. Previously, Israel's internal security service (Shin Bet) and the police had jointly announced that two Israelis were arrested for carrying out sabotage activities for the Islamic Republic and planning to kill a senior Israeli figure. According to the Times of Israel, these Israeli citizens, named Vladislav Viktorzen, 30, from Ramat Gan, and Anna Bernstein, 18, were recruited by an Iranian individual named 'Mari Hassi.' These two carried out various sabotage activities under Hassi's orders, which were given in Hebrew, including spray painting provocative graffiti, installing posters, setting cars on fire near Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv, and burning local forests. They filmed some of these operations and received $5,000 for their efforts. The joint statement from Shin Bet and the police added that they intended to assassinate an Israeli official by throwing a grenade into a house but were arrested before purchasing the weapon. In recent months, Shin Bet has announced a series of 'Islamic Republic plots' aimed at deceiving Israelis online to carry out missions for the Islamic Republic. Earlier, Shin Bet revealed a plan in December 2023 in which Israelis were allegedly hired to gather information on prominent individuals. A German lawmaker stated to Voice of America that the Islamic Republic is planning for 'assassination' in Europe. The U.S. has warned the Islamic Republic that any attempt on Donald Trump's life would be considered an 'act of war.' A Reuters report discussed the role of Islamic Republic proxy groups in the conflict with Israel in the West. Britain faces an increasing threat from ISIS, Iran, and Russia.