Suspect named in plot to assassinate Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

A man on suspicion of being hired to assassinate Benjamin Netanyahu has been identified as a 73-year-old pensioner.

The Israeli citizen arrested on suspicion of involvement in an Iranian-backed assassination plot targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been named as 73-year-old Moti Maman.

Israeli security services reported the arrest in August, following two meetings he attended in Iran, where the assassination of Netanyahu and other high-ranking Israeli officials, including Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Shin Bet intelligence chief Ronen Bar, were allegedly discussed.

According to the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), Maman was smuggled into Iran hidden in a truck cabin, where he met Iranian intelligence agents who reportedly tasked him with orchestrating assassination attempts on Israeli soil.

The IDF further alleged that Maman had requested a $1 million advance payment to carry out the plan and was allegedly paid €5,000 (A$8,170) for attending the meetings.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The suspected hitman has been named as 73-year-old Moti Maman.

Maman’s lawyer, Eyal Besserglick, said his client had made an “error of judgement” but emphasised that Maman was co-operating with Israeli intelligence and had a history of assisting the country’s security services.

Besserglick also highlighted the fact that Maman’s children serve in Israel’s security forces.

The alleged assassination plot has been linked to Iran’s desire for revenge following the July killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Iranian soil, a death Tehran attributes to Israeli involvement.

Originally published as Suspect named in plot to assassinate Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu