UAE confirms death penalty for killers of Rabbi Tzvi Kogan

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially confirmed that the three men responsible for the murder of Chabad Shliach Rabbi Tzvi Kogan Hy”d will face the death penalty. The individuals, all Uzbek nationals, were found guilty of killing Rabbi Kogan in November 2024. In addition to the three murderers, a co-conspirator who assisted in the attack has been sentenced to life in prison and will be deported from the country.

Rabbi Kogan, a prominent Chabad emissary, was tragically kidnapped and murdered by three Uzbek men—Olimboy Tohirovich, 28, Makhmudjon Abdurakhim, 28, and Azizbek Kamilovich, 33—after going missing for three days starting on November 21, 2024. His body was discovered several days later, leading to a swift investigation by UAE authorities.

The UAE Ministry of Interior made a significant announcement on November 24, revealing that the suspects had been apprehended in Istanbul, Turkey. The suspects were captured as they attempted to leave the airport in a taxi, after Turkish authorities acted on a request from the UAE. The men were quickly extradited back to the UAE to stand trial for the heinous crime.

The murder of Rabbi Kogan shocked the global Jewish community, and the subsequent trial was closely followed around the world. Many observers had anticipated that the death penalty would be imposed on the individuals responsible for the brutal crime, and the UAE court confirmed this expectation.

The murder was widely condemned by global leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who emphasized that every measure would be taken to ensure justice was served. Additionally, the United States condemned the killing as a horrific crime against peace, tolerance, and coexistence, while Moldova labeled the act as an instance of antisemitism. The swift prosecution and severe sentencing of the murderers serve as a symbol of the UAE’s commitment to justice in this tragic case.