Tel Aviv - An Israeli Arab was indicted Friday on suspicion of conspiring with an al-Qaeda agent to carry out attacks in Israel, security officials announced.

Khaled Abu Rakayek, 23, of the Bedouin village of Tel Sheva, in southern Israel, was arrested on July 29.

He is accused of trying to set up a cell which would carry out suicide bombings in Israel.

According to the indictment, he also contacted an al-Qaeda operative in the Gaza Strip to discuss possible attacks and had downloaded onto his computer videos documenting terror attacks committed by the global Jihad organization.

He also downloaded material documenting how to prepare explosive belts.

Abu Rakayek's attorney denies the charges against his client. (dpa)