The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced the arrest of three Uzbek nationals believed to be connected to the abduction and murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, an Israeli-Moldovan citizen. This incident, considered by Israeli authorities as an act of antisemitic terrorism, has prompted fears for the safety of the country's small Jewish community. Emirati officials, while confirming the arrests, have not disclosed specific motives for the crime.
U.A.E. Detains Three Uzbek Nationals in Connection with Rabbi's Murder
U.A.E. Detains Three Uzbek Nationals in Connection with Rabbi's Murder
Three individuals arrested in United Arab Emirates over the murder of Israeli Rabbi Zvi Kogan, raising concerns for the safety of the Jewish community.
On November 25, 2024, UAE officials reported that the suspects, identified as Olimboy Tohirovich, Makhmudjon Abdurakhim, both 28, and 33-year-old Azizbek Kamilovich, had been charged in relation to Kogan's death. The rabbi's kidnapping and subsequent murder represent a significant concern for Jewish residents in the Emirates, a nation that has been striving to promote a tolerant image since establishing diplomatic relations with Israel in 2020 under the Abraham Accords.
Kogan, 28, was last seen in Dubai and was actively involved in the local Jewish community, overseeing a kosher supermarket. His body was found following a search after he went missing, and an Israeli official indicated that he was a likely target due to his prominent role within the community. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the act, calling it a "despicable antisemitic terrorist attack."
The UAE's interior ministry is continuing its investigation into the details surrounding the murder, which is seen as out of character for a nation that has recently made strides towards interfaith dialogue and tolerance. Yousef al-Otaiba, the UAE ambassador to the United States, labeled Kogan’s murder as “a crime against the U.A.E.," underscoring the nation's commitment to maintaining peace and security within its borders.
As the investigation unfolds, there is a growing urgency for a forensic examination of Rabbi Kogan’s body, with hopes of returning it to Jerusalem for a funeral service shortly.
Kogan, 28, was last seen in Dubai and was actively involved in the local Jewish community, overseeing a kosher supermarket. His body was found following a search after he went missing, and an Israeli official indicated that he was a likely target due to his prominent role within the community. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the act, calling it a "despicable antisemitic terrorist attack."
The UAE's interior ministry is continuing its investigation into the details surrounding the murder, which is seen as out of character for a nation that has recently made strides towards interfaith dialogue and tolerance. Yousef al-Otaiba, the UAE ambassador to the United States, labeled Kogan’s murder as “a crime against the U.A.E.," underscoring the nation's commitment to maintaining peace and security within its borders.
As the investigation unfolds, there is a growing urgency for a forensic examination of Rabbi Kogan’s body, with hopes of returning it to Jerusalem for a funeral service shortly.
