UAE Court Sentences 3 People to Death in Killing of Israeli-Moldovan Rabbi Zvi Kogan

A court in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has sentenced three individuals to death for the murder of Israeli-Moldovan citizen Zvi Kogan, state media reported on Monday. The case was heard in the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeals’ State Security Chamber, which issued the verdicts after a detailed trial. In addition to the three death sentences, a fourth defendant, who was involved in aiding the killing, was given a life sentence. However, the identities of those charged have not been revealed.

Court Ruling and Sentences

The victim, Zvi Kogan, was murdered in November, with the three convicted individuals having tracked and killed him. The evidence presented during the trial included detailed confessions from the defendants, as well as forensic reports, post-mortem examination findings, and witness testimonies. The prosecution provided substantial evidence, including the murder weapon and details of the crime scene.

The Killing Amidst Regional Tensions

The murder of Kogan occurred during a time of heightened tensions in the region, with the Israel-Hamas conflict intensifying. Although the UAE and Israel maintain diplomatic ties, the war has strained relations, especially as it stirs anti-Israel sentiment in the broader Muslim world. Despite this, Israel continues to maintain a consulate in Dubai and an embassy in Abu Dhabi. Though the UAE authorities have not disclosed a specific motive for Kogan’s killing, Israeli officials have suggested that Iran and its allies may be involved. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with other Israeli officials, mentioned the term “axis of evil” concerning Kogan’s murder, which has historically referred to Iran and its associated groups. However, Iran’s Embassy in Abu Dhabi has denied any involvement in the killing.

Background of the Victim

Zvi Kogan, 28, was an ultra-Orthodox rabbi who ran a kosher grocery store in Dubai. He was part of the Chabad Lubavitch movement, a prominent branch of ultra-Orthodox Judaism based in Brooklyn, New York. Kogan’s death shocked both the Jewish community and the broader public in the UAE, where Israelis have established a significant presence in business and tourism following the 2020 Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and the UAE. The UAE is home to a growing Jewish community, with synagogues and businesses catering to kosher diners. Kogan’s death marked a tragic event for this community, as he was a well-known figure within the Jewish expatriate network. After his death, Kogan was buried in Israel, where his family and supporters paid tribute to his life.

Capital Punishment in the UAE

The UAE is known for its strict legal system, where capital punishment, though rare, is carried out swiftly following the exhaustion of appeals. Executions in the UAE are typically carried out by firing squad. The country’s legal framework is based on both civil and Sharia law, and while capital punishment is rare, it has been used in cases involving severe crimes such as murder and terrorism. The sentencing of the three individuals to death in this case underscores the UAE’s serious stance on crime and its swift judicial process, especially in cases that involve high-profile victims or foreign nationals. The case remains a significant point of discussion both within the UAE and internationally, given the circumstances surrounding the murder and the ongoing geopolitical tension in the region.