A 73-year-old pensioner has been identified as the Israeli citizen arrested on suspicion of plotting to assassinate Benjamin Netanyahu, with the alleged scheme linked to Iran. 

Israeli security services reported that they arrested Moti Maman in August after he attended two meetings in Iran where he was allegedly instructed to assassinate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The meetings also discussed Yoav Gallant, the defence minister and Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet intelligence agency, as potential targets. 

An IDF statement revealed that the Israeli citizen entered Iran after he was smuggled across the border hidden in a truck cabin. He reportedly met with additional Iranian intelligence agents, who asked him to conduct operations for Iran on Israeli territory, including facilitating assassination attacks. 

Mr. Maman, who was smuggled into Iran in the back of a truck, reportedly demanded an advance payment of one million dollars before taking any action. Additionally, he was allegedly given €5,000 for attending the meetings. 

Eyal Besserglick, Mr. Maman’s lawyer, stated that his client made an "error of judgment" and is cooperating with Israel’s intelligence agencies. 

Mr. Besserglick further noted, "It can already be said that this is a person who has greatly assisted the security services of the State of Israel, whose children serve in the security forces." 

Israel claimed that Iran asked Mr. Maman to carry out the assassinations as revenge for the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader, in July, which Tehran attributed to Jerusalem. 

Image source: The Times of Israel