Danish intelligence officers arrested a Danish national of Afghan origin in Aarhus under a German arrest warrant. German authorities have accused him of spying for Iranian intelligence. The arrest followed intelligence provided by Germany’s domestic security agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV).
According to the prosecutor’s statement, the suspect, identified as Ali S., is believed to have been working for a foreign intelligence service. Investigators say Iranian intelligence tasked him in early 2025 with gathering information on Jewish sites and individuals in Berlin.
Download the SAN app today to stay up-to-date with Unbiased. Straight Facts™.
Point phone camera here
In June, he reportedly surveilled three locations, including the headquarters of the German-Israeli Society and a building where Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, was known to visit.
According to German prosecutors, the surveillance may have been part of preparatory intelligence work that could lead to future attacks.
What actions are Germany and Denmark taking?
Ali S. was arrested June 26 by Danish intelligence officials acting on behalf of Germany. He remains in Danish custody under a remand order until at least July 23, pending extradition to Germany.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry summoned Iran’s ambassador on Tuesday, July 1, following the arrest. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called the incident a potential confirmation that “Iran is a threat to Jews all over the world.”
The Iranian embassy in Berlin rejected the accusations as “unfounded and dangerous.” A statement from the embassy claimed unnamed third parties were staging incidents to distract from Israeli military operations. Tehran’s Foreign Ministry did not respond to further inquiries.
Have there been similar cases in the past?
German authorities say the case follows a broader pattern of Iranian-linked activity in Europe. In 2017, a Pakistani national was convicted of spying on Reinhold Robbe, a former chairman of the German-Israeli Society.
Other incidents attributed to Iranian actors include assassinations in the Netherlands, an attempted murder in Denmark and a failed bombing plot in France involving an Iranian diplomat.
In 2022, Iran nearly succeeded in assassinating former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at a hotel in Paris, according to a forthcoming book detailing threats against Trump and his aides. Intelligence officials later warned Trump’s campaign that Iranian hit teams were operating on U.S. soil, prompting major changes to his security.
In 2024, German authorities shut down the Islamic Center Hamburg, accusing it of spreading extremist propaganda on behalf of the Iranian government.
Officials have also warned that Iran increasingly relies on proxy operatives and criminal networks in the West to target critics, dissidents and Jewish individuals.
The German-Israeli Society and prominent Jewish leaders have called for the European Union to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.
Schuster called the Berlin case a “clear alarm signal” and urged the German government to take firm and proactive political action.
