An Ultraorthodox Israeli man has been sentenced to 4 1/2 years in prison on charges of trying to spy for Israeli rival Iran.
The Jerusalem court said Yitzhak Bergel admitted, as part of a plea bargain, to charges of contacting a foreign agent, intent to commit treason, and attempting to aid an enemy of Israel.
The decision said, however, that "no damage" had been done to the Israeli state because of Bergel's actions.
Bergel is described as belonging to Neturei Karta, a splinter group of Ultraorthodox Jewry that rejects the existence of a manmade Jewish state until the coming of the messiah.
Adherents of the sect have met with Iranian leaders.
Authorities said Bergel flew to Berlin in 2011, contacted the Iranian Embassy there, and offered to collect intelligence.
The Jerusalem court said Yitzhak Bergel admitted, as part of a plea bargain, to charges of contacting a foreign agent, intent to commit treason, and attempting to aid an enemy of Israel.
The decision said, however, that "no damage" had been done to the Israeli state because of Bergel's actions.
Bergel is described as belonging to Neturei Karta, a splinter group of Ultraorthodox Jewry that rejects the existence of a manmade Jewish state until the coming of the messiah.
Adherents of the sect have met with Iranian leaders.
Authorities said Bergel flew to Berlin in 2011, contacted the Iranian Embassy there, and offered to collect intelligence.