Man held for spying near Ahmadinejad's helicopter

"A person with a known identity who is linked with the spy service of an Arab state has been arrested by the Sabzevar (city) Corps," RIA Novosti quoted the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as saying in a statement. The alleged spy was held after he penetrated the landing pad of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's helicopter during his visit to the city earlier this month.

"During interrogations, the arrested individual has confessed to his links with the citizens of an Arab country and the transfer of sensitive information to them," the IRGC said. Iran has arrested more than 40 US and Israeli spies over the past year, Fars said. Last month, the intelligence ministry said it had disbanded what it described as a large Israeli terror network.