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Israel sentences Belgian citizen for spying for Iran

Xinhua, April 21, 2015 Adjust font size:

An Israeli court on Tuesday sentenced a Belgian citizen to seven years in prison for spying for Iran.

Iranian-born Ali Mantzuri was sentenced by the Central District Court for "espionage" and "aiding an enemy during war" amid a plea bargain.

The 55-year-old Mantzuri was arrested at the Ben Gurion Airport outside Tel Aviv on Sept. 11, 2013, while trying to leave the country, the court's documents show. In his possession he had photos of the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv and other sites.

Mantzuri entered Israel with his Belgian passport under the cover of a businessman named alias Alex Mans who was seeking investment interests in Israel, the court said.

He was drafted by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and was promised a million U.S. dollars for his efforts.

Mantzuri pleaded guilty but claimed that his acts have not compromised Israel's security and he was compelled to do so by the Iranian secret services. Endit