Germany charges two men over Iran-linked plot to kill Jewish leaders

German prosecutors have charged two men in connection with an alleged Iran-linked plot to assassinate prominent Jewish leaders in Germany.

Federal prosecutors said a Danish national, identified as Ali S., and an Afghan national, identified as Tawab M., are accused of involvement in attempted murder, Caliber.Az reports, citing British media.

Their identities were partially withheld under German privacy rules.

Authorities allege Ali S. worked on behalf of the intelligence service of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and maintained close ties to its elite Quds Force, which is responsible for foreign operations.

Prosecutors said he was tasked in early 2025 with gathering intelligence on senior Jewish figures in Germany, including Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, and Volker Beck, chairman of the German-Israeli Society.

He was also allegedly instructed to surveil two Jewish grocery store owners in Berlin as part of preparations for potential attacks.

According to prosecutors, the surveillance was intended to support violent plans inside Germany. "All of ⁠this was intended to facilitate the planning of murder and arson attacks in Germany," the prosecutors said.

Investigators say the case builds on earlier suspicions raised in 2024, when Danish authorities arrested a Danish national suspected of spying on Jewish sites and individuals in Berlin on behalf of Iran.

The case remains under investigation, and authorities have not disclosed defence responses.