Dozens of Israelis, including former defense industry officials, are suspected of illegally trading advanced weapons with an unnamed Asian country, a Shin Bet investigation revealed.
At least 20 people were arrested, who, according to the security agency, were developing, testing, manufacturing and selling advanced loitering weapons. Some of the tests were conducted in Israeli cities, the study found.
They were investigated a few months ago on suspicion of committing crimes against state security under the Defense Export Control Law and burning money among other things.
During the investigation, it emerged that the suspects had received guidance from groups affiliated with an Asian country, which was not considered hostile to Israel, in exchange for receiving substantial funding and other benefits. The communication was made in secret to try to develop the entity for which the missiles were intended.
“The investigation revealed a lot of information about the ways foreign agencies use vis-à-vis Israelis, including the use of covert methods in conducting the transaction,” police and the Shin Bet said. in a statement.
“The relationship highlights the potential damage to national security that such transactions represent … including the fear that this technology could spill over. into countries hostile to Israel. “
The study material was recently submitted for inspection to the Economics Department of the State Attorney’s Office. It has not yet been determined whether all suspects will be charged with the crimes.
It is also unclear whether the organization was successful in delivering a fully developed product to the anonymous country.
Another gag of the investigation was ordered gag, including the identity of the suspects and the name of the country that ordered the weapons.