Three Sentenced to Death for Murder of Chabad Rabbi in Dubai

In a case that shocked the global Jewish community, three Uzbek nationals have reportedly been sentenced to death in the UAE for the brutal murder of Rabbi Levi Zvi Kogen, a young Chabad emissary serving in Dubai.

Rabbi Kogen, 28, was reported missing in late November 2024. He was last seen on November 21, and his body was discovered three days later in the city of Al-Ain. His murder sparked international outrage and prompted a swift investigation by UAE authorities, who worked in cooperation with international agencies.

According to Israeli media, the suspects were apprehended in a third country — believed to be Turkey — and later extradited to the UAE. The three men — identified as Olimpi Tohirovich (28), Mahmoudjon Abd al-Rahim (28), and Azizbek Kamilovich (33) — were convicted of involvement in the killing. While details remain scarce due to the sensitive nature of the case, some reports suggest the act may have been politically motivated, potentially linked to Iranian intelligence operations.

These claims have not been independently verified.

Though UAE officials have yet to publicly confirm the verdicts, media outlets in Israel have cited sources indicating that the death sentences were handed down by an Emirati court earlier this month.

Rabbi Kogen had been active in supporting Jewish life in the Gulf, overseeing a kosher food shop and serving the Jewish community in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. His death marked a rare and deeply troubling incident in a region that had recently seen growing interfaith outreach and normalization efforts.

As of now, neither the UAE government nor international human rights organizations have officially commented on the reported sentencing.