Iranian plot to assassinate Israeli nuclear scientist results in four convictions

Four Jerusalem residents were convicted Wednesday in the Jerusalem District Court for their roles in an alleged Iranian-directed plot to assassinate an Israeli nuclear scientist and his family. The convictions, based on plea agreements, did not include charges of planning the killing itself. Mamdouh Khader and Omri Abu Hamida were convicted of failing to prevent a terrorist act after learning of the plot during a reconnaissance trip to the Weizmann Institute of Science. Mahmoud Khader and Muhammad Taha were convicted of helping another defendant maintain contact with a foreign agent and assisting with related activities, such as filming staged incidents. Sentencing arguments are pending, while proceedings continue against three other defendants, including Rami Alyan, who prosecutors allege received the assassination assignment from an Iranian operative in September 2024.