A suspected Iranian intelligence operative has been charged in Germany over allegations that he prepared possible assassination plots against the head of the Central Council of Jews in Germany and a prominent pro-Israel politician.
According to information obtained by Der Spiegel, Germany’s Federal Public Prosecutor has brought charges before the Higher Regional Court in Hamburg against two men in connection with the case.
The main suspect, identified as Ali S., an Afghan-born Danish national, is alleged to have worked for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and to have maintained close contact with the Quds Force, an elite external operations unit of the Guards. He is accused of gathering intelligence in Germany that could have been used to prepare attacks.
Investigators say that, in early 2025, he received instructions from Tehran to collect information on two potential targets: Josef Schuster, and Volker Beck. Both were reportedly being considered as possible targets for assassination.
The suspect is also said to have conducted reconnaissance in Berlin, including monitoring addresses linked to Jewish institutions. This allegedly included spying on a Jewish grocery shop and a kosher supermarket, which prosecutors believe may have been linked to preparations for potential arson or murder attacks.
Authorities further allege that Ali S. sought out accomplices and, by May 2025, made contact with a 52-year-old Afghan man, Tawab M., who is also now facing charges. He is accused of agreeing to procure a weapon and attempt to recruit a hitman to kill Volker Beck.
The plan was reportedly disrupted before any attack could be carried out. Ali S. was arrested in Aarhus, Denmark, in June 2025 and later extradited to Germany. He is charged with espionage for Iran and “agent activity for sabotage purposes”.
His alleged accomplice remains in pre-trial detention and is expected to face charges of attempted participation in murder.
Ali S.’s lawyer has rejected the allegations, stressing that his client is presumed innocent and will contest the charges. The defence for the second suspect has declined to comment.
Volker Beck has called on the German government to respond firmly, including the possibility of expelling the Iranian ambassador, arguing that Germany must not tolerate foreign states allegedly attempting to organise killings of Jews and pro-Israel figures on its territory.
Security services in Germany have long warned of what they describe as “state-terrorist activities” linked to Tehran. Previous cases have also involved suspected Iranian-directed plots against Jewish targets in Europe, often attributed to the Quds Force.
