A Danish national has been arrested in Denmark on suspicion of spying for Iranian intelligence by surveilling Jewish sites and individuals in Berlin, authorities from both countries confirmed Tuesday.
The suspect, identified only as Ali S. under German privacy laws, allegedly photographed three properties in Berlin in June as part of preparations for possible attacks, German prosecutors said. He is accused of receiving instructions from Iranian intelligence services earlier this year.
German authorities have requested his extradition. Denmark’s national security agency confirmed the man would remain in custody until at least July 23 while the process unfolds.
Germany’s foreign ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador over the case. “If confirmed, this would be an outrageous act proving once again that Iran poses a global threat to Jews,” said German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul during a visit to Odesa, Ukraine.
Iran’s embassy in Berlin dismissed the accusations as “unfounded and dangerous,” accusing unnamed third parties of fabricating the case to distract from Israel’s recent military actions.
German news magazine Der Spiegel reported the suspect had targeted buildings including the German-Israeli Society headquarters and a residence linked to Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany.
Jewish leaders and civil groups in Germany urged swift action. Schuster called the revelations a “clear alarm signal” and pressed the German government to take firm steps against the Iranian regime. The German-Israeli Society also urged the EU to formally designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization.
The arrest follows heightened tensions during last month’s 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, during which German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned of potential Iranian plots targeting Jewish institutions in Germany.
