Three murderers of rabbi sentenced to death in UAE
- Rabbi Zvi Kogan was abducted on November 21, 2023, in the UAE and later found murdered in his car.
- The three Uzbek citizens involved were arrested shortly after Kogan's disappearance and subsequently sentenced to death.
- The murder has raised concerns about the safety of foreign nationals in the region amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.
In the United Arab Emirates, three Uzbek nationals were found guilty of murdering Rabbi Zvi Kogan, a dual Israeli-Moldovan citizen, in November 2023. Kogan, who served as an aide to the chief rabbi of the UAE and operated a kosher grocery store, was kidnapped on November 21, 2023, as part of a botched plan. The perpetrators intended to smuggle him across the border to Oman but ended up killing him, leading to a police investigation that quickly resulted in their arrest. Following the murder, the UAE security forces apprehended the suspects a few days after Kogan's disappearance. During the court proceedings, evidence was presented, including confessions from the defendants, forensic reports, and witness testimonies. The Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeals’ State Security Chamber sentenced the three suspects to death while a fourth individual, who aided in the crime, received a life sentence. The motive for the murder was not disclosed by authorities, which occurred against the backdrop of heightened tensions due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, raising various speculations. Despite the turmoil surrounding regional political relationships, which have been strained since the outbreak of the conflict, diplomatic ties between Israel and the UAE have largely remained intact. The death of Kogan has reignited discussions about the safety and circumstances for the Jewish community in the UAE, particularly concerning foreign nationals and the threats posed by regional adversaries. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have condemned the act, vowing to pursue justice vigorously. Kogan was regarded as a dedicated community member in the burgeoning Jewish environment within the UAE, where the Chabad movement has established a noticeable presence and where Jewish businesses are increasingly supported. This tragic event is a stark reminder of the complexities and dangers that can arise even in places where diplomatic progress has seemingly created a framework for coexistence. The swift judicial response can also be seen as an effort by the UAE to reaffirm its commitment to safety and security in a region often fraught with political tension.