Gonen Segev, the former Israeli minister of energy and infrastructure, has been accused of providing Iran, Israel's major enemy, with sensitive data about security facilities and the country's energy industry.
The investigation revealed that starting 2012, Segev had been in contact with Iran's intelligence via the Iranian embassy in Nigeria. The meetings with Iranian agents were held in hotels and apartments around the world, which were "used for secret Iranian activity," the police added.
READ MORE: Israeli Ex-Energy Minister Arrested on Suspicion of Spying for Iran — Police
The arrest has prompted vivid reactions among social media users.
Many Iranians published posts on Twitter in which they expressed support and sympathy for the former Israeli energy minister under the hashtag #FreeGonenSegev and demanded his release.
Some Twitter users appeared to be very much concerned with Segev's fate.
This man is a father, a husband, a son, and a physician. He studied medicine to give people pills that make them feel better. But instead of dealing with the sickness epidemic, Israeli authorities are persecuting Gonen with ridiculous charges. @AmnestyIsrael#FreeGonenSegev pic.twitter.com/o59BC6SWL2
— Artephius (@al_haafez) 18 июня 2018 г.
Zionist regime jailed innocent minister. regime accuse him on spying for Iran. His family are so concern about him. Regime torture him badly to confess what they want. Please join this campaign to help him.
— hadi🔎🕎✡️ (@Zolfegar12) 18 июня 2018 г.
#FreeGonenSegev#Israel pic.twitter.com/WbMaitdLXD
Israeli regim doesn't even have mercy on its own people.
— Ali 🇮🇷 (@AliHgh99) 18 июня 2018 г.
Imprisoning its citizens telling the world they're spies.#FreeGonenSegev 🤞 we stand with you,Gonen 😙 pic.twitter.com/Ewk4vhoQ1r
Others slammed Israel for persecuting political opponents and cracking down on freedom of expression.
There are many political prisoners in Israel with no freedom of expression
— دلارام (@delaram1376) 18 июня 2018 г.
Israel regime must be changed#FreeGonenSegev
Thousands of #Israeli took a place in Tel Aviv street and showing solidarity with Farmer Israeli minister #GonenSegev.#FreeGonenSegev pic.twitter.com/fwIFyKcd4g
— 🇮🇷KHZCY (@HKZCY) 18 июня 2018 г.
Segev was a member of the Knesset (parliament) from 1992 to 1996, combining his parliamentary activity with the post of minister of energy and infrastructure.