UAE Arrests Three Uzbek Citizens on Charges of Killing Israeli Rabbi

Following the discovery of the body of Tsvi Kogan, an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi who had gone missing in the United Arab Emirates, Israeli media reported that the country's intelligence agencies suspect that the perpetrators of Kogan's murder are 'several citizens of Uzbekistan hired by Iran.' Subsequently, Iran denied any connection to the murder, and the United States announced close cooperation with Israel and the UAE in pursuing this case. In light of these reports, the UAE's Ministry of Interior announced on Monday, December 5, that three individuals arrested on suspicion of killing Rabbi Kogan are from the Republic of Uzbekistan. The ministry's statement identified the three as 28-year-old Alampiy Tahrovich, 28-year-old Mahmudjan Abdulrahim, and 33-year-old Aziz Kamulovich, and released images of them with handcuffs. The statement did not provide further details about the location and timing of the arrests or the process leading to the identification and apprehension of these individuals. Uzbekistan, which has close relations with Israel and the UAE, has not reacted to the arrest of its citizens on charges of killing an Israeli cleric in the UAE. Mainstream Israeli media reported since Saturday, citing security sources and Mossad agents involved in the investigation with the UAE, that the three Uzbek suspects fled to Turkey by plane after killing Rabbi Kogan. Reports indicated that Israel and the UAE sought cooperation from Turkish intelligence to apprehend the three fugitives. No official Israeli officials directly mentioned Iran as being behind the murder, but mainstream media in the country claimed that 'Caucasian' criminals were hired by the Iranian intelligence agency to pursue and harm Israelis. The Iranian embassy in Abu Dhabi categorically denied any connection to the murder of this Jewish cleric. Sean South, spokesperson for the National Security Council at the White House, condemned the murder of the rabbi in a statement released early on Monday, December 5, calling it a 'horrific crime against all those who defend peace, tolerance, and coexistence.' This official also stated that Washington is closely coordinating with Israeli and UAE officials in following up on this incident 'and we have provided all appropriate forms of support.' He did not provide any details. Hours before this statement, the Iranian embassy in Abu Dhabi categorically rejected reports about Tehran's involvement in the murder of this rabbi. In a response sent to Reuters, the embassy stated: 'We categorically reject the claims made regarding Iran's involvement in the murder of this individual.' This was Iran's first response to reports regarding the disappearance and subsequent murder of Rabbi Tsvi Kogan. According to this report, the dual-national rabbi entered the UAE with his Moldovan passport and resided in the country. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the murder of Tsvi Kogan as an act of 'anti-Semitic terrorism' and stated that the country would do everything it can to bring the perpetrators to justice. According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, after the news of Tsvi Kogan's disappearance was published, all Israeli agencies participated in the investigation, and he is believed to have been last seen in a kosher food store in Dubai. This 28-year-old rabbi and member of the 'Chabad' organization went missing on Thursday, and news of the discovery of his body was reported on Sunday. 'Chabad' is a charity organization for fundamentalist Jews that conducts charitable and welfare activities for Jews around the world. Chabad's presence in the UAE dates back over a decade, but since four years ago, following the normalization agreement between the UAE and Israel, which significantly increased Israeli tourists in the country, Chabad's charitable activities have expanded to Jews in the UAE. Despite the Iranian embassy's denial in Abu Dhabi, the possibility of the Islamic Republic's involvement in this murder remains a speculation attributed by some media to the views of Israeli intelligence officials. Eyub Kara, a former Israeli politician, told Reuters in Dubai that there are indications that have raised suspicions of Iran's involvement in this matter among intelligence agencies. The murder of this Israeli rabbi occurred amid escalating military tensions between Israel and Iran, while Tehran's proxy groups have been engaged in war in Lebanon and Gaza against the Israeli army for over 13 months. Reports indicate that Tsvi Kogan's body was found in Al Ain, one of the cities in the UAE near the Oman border, but it is unclear whether he was killed there. The Israeli government on Sunday once again advised its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the UAE and to minimize their movement if they are currently there.