A Danish man of Afghan origin has been arrested in Aarhus, Denmark’s second-largest city, on suspicion of assisting Iranian intelligence in planning attacks against Jewish individuals and institutions in Berlin, German authorities confirmed Tuesday.
Identified only as Ali S., the suspect is accused of conducting reconnaissance on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), allegedly photographing Jewish landmarks and tracking high-profile figures linked to the Jewish community in Germany’s capital.
According to Germany’s Federal Prosecutor in Karlsruhe, Ali S. received directives earlier this year to gather intelligence on various sites in Berlin. These included the headquarters of the German-Israeli Society and a building reportedly visited by the head of the Central Council of Jews in Germany. The alleged actions were viewed as preparatory steps for potential terrorist attacks.
The arrest followed a joint intelligence operation and comes amid heightened concern over Tehran’s shadowy influence and suspected espionage in Europe. German authorities believe a specialized IRGC unit was behind the operation, with orders to orchestrate attacks on European soil.
“This is a wake-up call to those who continue to downplay the hatred and annihilationist ideology of the mullah regime,” said Dr. Josef Schuster, chair of the Central Council of Jews in Germany.
Volker Beck, president of the German-Israeli Society and a Green Party politician, echoed the warning: “Iran’s plans show the terrorist nature of this regime.”
Ali S. is expected to be extradited to Germany, where a federal investigative judge will determine whether he will remain in custody.
The case adds to a pattern of Iranian-linked espionage in Germany. In 2017, a Pakistani-born student was sentenced to over four years for spying on behalf of Iran, targeting a former German parliament member.
More recently, several prominent Jewish figures have been placed under police protection due to reported Iranian watchlists. The individuals, whose names remain undisclosed for security reasons, have expressed growing concern over threats to their safety.
The arrest has reignited debate over Iran’s reach in Europe and the need for greater vigilance. German federal officials said the investigation remains ongoing.
