The gag order has been lifted permitting the publication of the arrest of an Iranian spy in Ben-Gurion International Airport on September 11, 2013. The report states that at the time of his arrest, among other objects the suspect was carrying photos of the American Embassy in Israel.

The agent, who is identified as Ali Mansuri was enlisted by the al-Quds wing of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and he was operating under the guise of a businessman. He made trips to Israel in July 2012 and January 2013. His third visit began on September 3 and ended upon his arrest on September 11.

During his ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) interrogation, he explained he entered Israel using a Belgian passport under the name Alex Mans. A court lifted the gag order on reporting the case Sunday morning, 25 Tishrei.

He claimed to be operating in Israel as a Belgian businessman interested in establishing operations in Israel. He would use this business cover to supply information to the Iranians.

The agent was trained by al-Quds to enable him to gather and record information for his handlers.

The suspect in custody is 55, born in Iran, and he has been living there until 1980. From there he moved to Turkey and in 1997 he received a visa permitting him to travel to and live in Belgium, once again under the guise of being a businessman. He was granted Belgian citizenship in 2006 after marrying a local citizen. That same year he changed his name to Alex Mans.

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(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photo: ISA [Israel Security Agency])