The UAE reveals the killers of Israeli Rabbi Zvi Kogan and their nationality

The UAE has revealed the perpetrators of the murder of Israeli Rabbi Zvi Kogan, which took place a few days ago.

The Internal Security Forces said the perpetrators were three Uzbeks: Olimpi Tohirovich (28), Makhmudjon Abdurahim (28), and Azizi Kamilovich (33).

The UAE ministry of interior stressed in a statement that it’s always keen to take the necessary measures to arrest the perpetrators, praising the vigilance of the security services and the speed of their actions that contributed to uncovering the incident.

The ministry indicated that all the circumstances of the incident will be announced after the investigation is completed, and that all security agencies are working around the clock to protect the stability of society, according to the statement.

Earlier on Sunday, Israeli authorities announced that the body of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, who had disappeared in the UAE since last Thursday, had been found.

According to a joint statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office and the Foreign Ministry, Kogan’s body was found thanks to the UAE security services, which had begun investigating the circumstances of his disappearance.

The statement described Kogan’s killing as an “anti-Semitic terrorist act” and stressed that Israel would use all means possible to hold those responsible accountable.

“We view this incident as a despicable attack, and we will move swiftly to bring the criminals responsible to justice,” the statement said.

For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed what happened in a videotape, expressing his shock and describing it as a “terrorist and anti-Semitic act”.

The same position was expressed by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who condemned the incident and considered it an “anti-Semitic attack,” adding in a tweet on X that this attack won’t affect relations between Israel and the UAE.

Herzog expressed his confidence that the Emirati authorities will make strenuous efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Earlier, Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that the rabbi’s car was found abandoned in a city an hour and a half from downtown Dubai.

It noted that the victim, who had been married for six months, was related to Gabi Holtzberg, the Chabad emissary who was killed in the 2008 Mumbai attack.

The Israeli Mossad, in cooperation with the UAE security services, has conducted an investigation into the circumstances of Kogan’s disappearance and the possibility of his kidnapping.

Suspicions have been raised about the possible links between the kidnappers and Iran, but this information hasn’t yet been officially confirmed.

In contrast, the UAE authorities haven’t issued any official comment on the circumstances of the incident or the motives for the crime so far.

It’s worth noting that Zvi Kogan, (28), worked as an assistant to the Chief Rabbi of Abu Dhabi and also served as the representative of the Jewish Chabad movement in the Emirates.

Kogan holds Moldovan citizenship in addition to Israeli citizenship.