Israel's Shin Bet holds Russian-Israeli historian for over a month without disclosing reason, family suspects espionage case
Israel's Shin Bet security service has detained Russian-Israeli historian Artem Kirpichenok since August 2 without officially disclosing why. His family says unofficial information suggests he is suspected of espionage.
Historian and writer Artem Kirpichenok arrived in Tel Aviv on August 2 to attend an international conference, but was detained at the airport by officers of Israel's Shin Bet security service. Kirpichenok, who holds both Russian and Israeli citizenship, has remained in custody since then, with authorities providing no official explanation for the detention.
Family representatives told Meduza that, based on unofficial information, investigators suspect Kirpichenok of espionage and contact with a foreign intelligence agent — though the source stressed there is no "Arab angle," as the alleged contact is not from Lebanon or Iran. The family considers a Russia connection unlikely, noting that Russia and Israel conduct joint intelligence operations despite friction over Iran.
A separate charge may relate to Kirpichenok's 2018 trip to Iran, which he posted about on social media at the time. Israel treats Iran as an enemy state, and unauthorized travel there can carry up to four years in prison. However, friends say he visited Israel multiple times afterward without incident, partly because he rented out an apartment in Ashkelon.
Background and research
Kirpichenok, 51, holds a Doctor of Sciences degree and works as a journalist and researcher on the Middle East and Central Asia. He studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem before later returning to Russia. He has written sharply critical pieces about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel's policies in Gaza, and argued in one of his books that Israel functions as a bastion of Western colonialism. Friends expressed surprise at possible espionage charges, saying he has no access to classified information.
He is currently held alone in a Shin Bet pretrial facility in Petah Tikva, with lights on constantly and no access to outdoor exercise or reading materials. His support group suspects the conference may have been a trap, since local officials said no such event was scheduled.
A fourth closed-door hearing took place in Ashkelon on August 27. His lawyer has sought to exclude a confession she says was obtained under pressure, and requested house arrest and a psychiatric evaluation, both denied by the court. Family representatives say investigators threatened to confiscate his Israeli apartment and deport him to Ukraine.
Russia's Presidential Human Rights Council has appealed to the United Nations, urging Israel to clarify the grounds for detention. Shin Bet had not responded to Meduza's request for comment as of publication.
