A lawyer for Russian-Israeli historian Artyom Kirpichenok, who disappeared upon his arrival in Israel last month, told Russian media on Friday that his client was being charged in Israel with serious security offenses.

The report came the same day that the State Attorney’s Office said that an indictment had been filed against an unnamed Israeli civilian for “security offenses” involving a “foreign influence” campaign. The case was under a strict gag order and few details were permitted for publication.

Representatives of Kirpichenok told Russian news site Meduza that “according to unofficial information,” he was investigated over suspicions he “engaged in espionage and communicated with an agent of a foreign intelligence service.”

Meduza reported that “the charges in question are classified as serious,” but Kirpichenok’s lawyer “does not know exactly what the historian is being accused of.”

According to the report, after the indictment was filed, “the defense would be able to access the investigation materials.”

The report of the indictment came days after Russia appealed to the United Nations about the historian who Moscow claims has been in Shin Bet custody since he arrived in Tel Aviv on August 4 for a conference.

He hasn’t been seen since getting off the plane, according to Hebrew media reports. Family and friends who have tried to contact him have been unsuccessful.

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© The Times of Israel