UAE sentences three to death for murder of Moldovan-"Israeli" rabbi

The Abu Dhabi Federal Appeal Court sentenced three men to death and a fourth to life imprisonment for the kidnapping and murder of Moldovan-"Israeli" national Zvi Kogan.

The unanimously issued ruling found the defendants guilty of premeditated murder with terrorist intent, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).

The case was fast-tracked following an order by Hamad Saif Al-Shamsi, a UAE Attorney-General, who called for urgent proceedings in January 2025.

The State Security Prosecution’s investigation revealed that the defendants had stalked and deliberately targeted Kogan. The court was presented with substantial evidence, including the defendants' detailed confessions, forensic reports, autopsy findings, crime scene tools, and witness testimonies.

The court sentenced the three main perpetrators to death, while the fourth accomplice, who assisted them, received a life sentence and will be deported upon completing his term. Under UAE law, death sentences are automatically subject to appeal and will be reviewed by the Court of Cassation of the Federal Supreme Court.

Following the verdict, Attorney General Al-Shamsi reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to combating terrorism with strict adherence to justice and the rule of law. He emphasized that the country’s judiciary acts decisively against any threats to national security.