UAE announces arrest of three suspects in Israeli rabbi killing

The UAE announced on Sunday evening the arrest of three individuals suspected of killing an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi. The Emirati authorities announced earlier on Sunday that his body was found after being missing since Thursday. It was also reported that the perpetrators had fled the country.

According to the UAE Interior Ministry, “The specialised UAE authorities were able, in record time, to arrest three people who committed the murder of a resident in the country named Zvi Kogan, who holds Moldovan citizenship according to the identification documents he used to enter the United Arab Emirates.”

After Kogan’s family filed a report about his disappearance, explained the ministry, an investigation was initiated leading to finding the missing person’s body and identifying the perpetrators. “They have been arrested and the necessary legal measures are being taken. The findings of the investigation will be announced upon its completion.”

It added: “The United Arab Emirates, with all its institutions, will spare no effort to prevent any attack on its citizens, residents and visitors. All security agencies work around the clock to protect the stability of society and ensure the sustainability of the highest levels of security and safety that have been established since the founding of the state.” The ministry stressed the country’s “ability to deal firmly with anyone who tries to undermine the security and stability of society.”

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office and the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced officially on Sunday that the body of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, an envoy of the orthodox Jewish organisation Chabad Lubavitch, had been found in the UAE. “Based on the information which indicates that Kogan may have been exposed to a terrorist incident, an intensive investigation has been opened in the UAE.” Israeli intelligence and security services are working non-stop to follow up on the case.

The Mossad spy agency stated that the Israeli National Security Council had issued a travel warning to the UAE (at a medium level) due to potential terrorist threats. It called on travellers to avoid unnecessary visits and to take strict security measures.

Israeli media reported that Tel Aviv’s assessment of the situation suggests that the rabbi was killed after being kidnapped by “terrorist groups” who had been tracking him over the past few days on Iran’s orders. The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation Kan 11 reported that Israeli security services are investigating “whether the cell responsible for kidnapping Rabbi Kogan is an Uzbek cell operating under Iranian direction.”

According to the Israeli narrative, Kogan did not arrive for meetings he was scheduled to hold on Saturday, which raised suspicions about his disappearance from a location about an hour and a half away from Dubai.

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