JERUSALEM (VINnews) — A 21-year-old American yeshiva student who spent four months in an Israeli prison on suspicion of spying for Iran has been released to house arrest following a prolonged legal battle, just days before his scheduled wedding in the United States.

Eli Levin, who had been studying in Jerusalem, was released from Gilboa Prison on Friday, just hours before Shabbos, following a Supreme Court decision permitting his transfer to house arrest.

Levin was arrested on suspicion of maintaining contact with an Iranian foreign agent and photographing locations in Israel. He has reportedly maintained that the photographs were ordinary tourist pictures, similar to those taken by countless visitors to the country. His release followed a hearing at the Jerusalem District Court on Friday, which addressed the conditions imposed by the Supreme Court.

The development represents a significant breakthrough for Levin and his family after months of legal proceedings, although the criminal case against him remains unresolved.

According to Kikar HaShabbat, the release followed extensive efforts by the Tzedek organization, headed by Rabbi Moshe Margaretten, a prominent American askan known for his involvement in securing the release of Jewish prisoners. The organization retained senior attorneys Uri Korb and Menachem Stauber to represent Levin and pursue his release from custody.

Throughout the proceedings, Tzedek officials reportedly maintained close contact with Rabbi Shimon Shisha, an activist involved in assisting prisoners, to explore legal avenues for securing Lewen’s freedom. The release arrangements included financial guarantees totaling NIS 750,000, arranged by Tzedek, as well as a property valued at approximately NIS 3 million pledged as additional security by a Jerusalem benefactor.

Levin will remain under house arrest at the home of Rabbi Chaim Meir Hirsch, who agreed to accommodate him as part of the court-approved arrangements.

The timing of the release was particularly emotional because Levin had been scheduled to celebrate his aufruf that very weekend. His wedding was originally scheduled to take place in the United States on Sunday, but the ceremony has been postponed indefinitely because of his legal situation. Instead of celebrating with his family and preparing to stand beneath the chuppah, Levin spent the months leading up to his wedding incarcerated in Gilboa Prison, including the Jewish High Holiday period.

Following his release, he received a visit from his former rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Shalom Landa, the Ribnitz rabbinical leader in Williamsburg and head of the Talmudi Degirsa yeshiva. The visit added to the emotional atmosphere surrounding Levin’s first Shabbos outside prison. During a Shabbos gathering, one rabbi reportedly told him that although his planned aufruf had not taken place, he had instead experienced an extraordinary Shabbos marking his transition from imprisonment to freedom.

Levin now hopes to resolve the legal proceedings and reschedule his wedding, although no new date has been announced. His release to house arrest does not constitute an acquittal, and the allegations against him have not been resolved by the court.

According to an indictment filed on July 3, Levin allegedly communicated through Telegram with individuals identifying themselves as “Sina” and “Alexander,” whom Israeli prosecutors say were working for Iranian intelligence.

Prosecutors allege that between late 2025 and early 2026, Levin photographed locations in Jerusalem, including the city’s Central Bus Station, and carried out other assignments, such as leaving a cigarette package containing a note at Hadar Mall and concealing a USB device at a Jerusalem restaurant.

The indictment alleges that he received approximately $1,379 in cryptocurrency for the assignments. Levin was charged with contact with a foreign agent and providing information that could benefit an enemy.

According to a person close to Levin quoted by Mako, he lost approximately 20 kilograms during his imprisonment, while his father traveled from the United States twice but was unable to visit him. On October 12, Supreme Court President Justice Yitzhak Amit authorized his release to house arrest under restrictive conditions, including electronic monitoring. However, final arrangements delayed his actual release until October 23.

The case comes amid growing concerns in Israel over Iranian intelligence efforts to recruit individuals through social media, often beginning with relatively simple assignments in exchange for modest payments.