On Wednesday, Alexander Granovsky, a resident of Petah Tikva, received a sentence of 13.5 years in prison from the Central District Court in Lod for his role in various criminal activities connected to an Iranian agent. These acts included setting vehicles on fire and taking photographs of specific locations at the behest of his handler. This case is part of a larger trend where individuals have been recruited via social media platforms by Iranian operatives, making this the most severe penalty imposed thus far.
Details of the Sentence
Judge Merav Grinberg endorsed the sentence resulting from a negotiation between the prosecution and Granovsky’s defense team. Granovsky admitted to multiple charges, including contacting a foreign agent, providing information to adversaries, nine counts of arson, and numerous incidents of vandalism. Additionally, he was given several suspended sentences, underlining the gravity of his actions.
The indictment revealed that Granovsky began his communications with an Iranian intelligence representative on Telegram from late November until his arrest on December 15, 2024. Initially, he expressed his discontent by spray-painting slogans against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in public spaces. Following those acts, he followed instructions to ignite nine vehicles while also documenting the occurrences. Some payments for his illicit activities were made through a digital wallet.
Further Criminal Activities
In addition to vandalism, Granovsky was tasked with capturing photographs of sensitive areas, including the neighborhood of Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, and the smokestacks at Tel Aviv’s Reading power station. When instructed to visit a power station in Hadera for photos, he declined, citing security concerns and demanding more compensation.
His handler sought additional assistance, including the purchase of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) uniforms and providing the details of two individuals with criminal backgrounds. Despite these requests, Granovsky advised that he had no intentions of harming anyone during these operations.
Mitigating Circumstances and Sentencing Rationale
Granovsky’s defense team implored the court to accept the negotiated sentence, emphasizing that his motivations were financial rather than ideological. They also highlighted his struggles with drug addiction and mental health issues. During the proceedings, Granovsky expressed regret for his actions and contended that he did not intend to jeopardize national security. The prosecution backed the plea agreement but underscored that Granovsky was well aware he was working for an Iranian-affiliated operative in a time of tension.
Judge Grinberg acknowledged Granovsky’s guilty plea and taking responsibility for his actions as positive factors. However, she concluded that his financial motivations did not diminish the severity of the actions that posed a risk to public and national security. The prison term will commence from the date of his arrest on December 15, 2024.