Iranian Spy Danish Arrested For Reconnaissance Of Jewish Targets In Berlin

UNSPLASH/Armin Ademovi ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - A Danish citizen was arrested on suspicion of working as an Iranian spy to gather information about Jewish sites and individuals in Berlin. The perpetrators will be extradited to Germany.

German prosecutors said the man identified as Ali S was spying on three properties in June in preparation for further intelligence activities, including possible attacks on Jewish targets.

Ali S is also suspected of receiving orders from Iranian intelligence agencies in early 2025.

Germany's Foreign Ministry said Iran's ambassador had been summoned on Tuesday, July 1.

"If this suspicion is proven, it will be an outrageous incident that will once again indicate that Iran is a threat to Jews around the world," said German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, speaking after visiting a Jewish synagoge in the southern city of Odesa during a visit to Ukraine.

The Iranian Embassy in Berlin rejected the allegations as "baseless and dangerous accusations".

The allegation is considered Iran designed to distract from Israel's attack on Iran.

"Previous discussions with relevant German authorities have highlighted that certain third parties are trying to divert public perceptions from actual events through artificial performances," he said.

Meanwhile, according to Der Spiegel magazine, the suspect took photos of buildings including the German-Israeli community headquarters and the building where the President of the Jewish Central Council in Germany, Josef Schuster, occasionally stayed.

After being transferred from neighboring Denmark, the suspect will be brought before the German Federal Court of Investigation judge, prosecutors said.

The suspect was detained until July 23, pending extradition to Germany.

During a 12-day war between Iran and Israel last month, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany was ready to face the possibility of Iran attacking Israeli or Jewish targets in the country, without elaborating in detail.

The German-Israeli community asked the European Union to include the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in the list of terrorist organizations.

"Extreme Iranian acts of terror cannot have a place in Germany," he said.

Schuster called it a "clear warning signal." "The German government should not only remain vigilant but also take active political action against the Iranian regime there should be no other consequence for this allegedly planned terrorist attack," he added.

The Danish Ministry of Justice and the foreign ministry both referred the investigation to the Danish intelligence service.