JERUSALEM (VINnews) — BDE: The body of Rabbi Zvi Kogan (28), the Chabad emissary in Abu Dhabi who went missing last week, has been found, the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed Sunday morning.
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Authorities in the United Arab Emirates announced Sunday morning that a body had been found in the country and that the identity of the deceased was in the process of being verified. It was later determined that the body was that of Kogan, who was allegedly murdered by three Uzbek nationals who fled the country afterwards.
The Prime Minister’s Office and Foreign Ministry stated, “Intelligence and security authorities in the United Arab Emirates have located the body of Zvi Kogan, who has been missing since Thursday, November 21, 2024.”
“The Israeli mission in Abu Dhabi has been in contact with the family since the beginning of the incident and continues to support them during this difficult time. His family in Israel has also been informed.
“The murder of the late Zvi Kogan is a criminal, antisemitic, terrorist act. The State of Israel will act by all means and bring the criminals responsible for his death to justice,” the PMO stated.
It is believed that Kogan was attacked by the Uzbeks who are suspected of having been hired by Iran. The three allegedly followed Kogan from his workplace, the kosher supermarket in Abu Dhabi which he founded, and then escaped to Turkey. Kogan’s vehicle was found an hour and a half’s distance from Dubai.
Rabbi Kogan was an assistant to Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Duchman, chief rabbi of the UAE. Born in Jerusalem in 1996 to a Lithuanian family, Kogan studied in yeshivos before serving in the IDF. He became close to Chabad together with his brother Rav Reuven Shlita and both joined the community in Dubai, serving official roles with Rabbi Duchman.
Friends described him as a smiling person who never said no to anyone and always helped and assisted others. He honored his parents greatly, was a G-d-fearing, humble man who sought only to help others and to build the Abu Dhabi community.
Last Monday Tzvi opened the Rimon supermarket in Dubai. Social media influencer Dudi Kepler documented R. Tzvi at the opening of the supermarket.
שליח חב”ד שנחטף הרב צבי קוגן צולם לסטטוס של דודי קפלר ביום שני האחרון בדובאי.
הפרגוד pic.twitter.com/5Yp0JQ1rmJ
— חרדים10 (@charedim10) November 23, 2024
Tzvi is survived by his parents, brothers and sisters, as well as his wife Rivka who is the niece of Gabi Holzberg HYD, a Chabad emissary murdered by terrorists in Mumbai in 2009.
May his blood be avenged.
Saddening news :HASHEM YINKOM DUMO ! Too bad .
What horrible and tragic news to wake up to. Hy’d to these savages.
May his blood be avenged.
To all those complaining about Chabad Shluchim in these places. Just know the first people in Russia were Chabad, and they were there before the fall of communism. Where would all the Baal Habatim get their minyanim when they travel internationally on business. The Far East is full of Chabad Houses for all you clowns when you go on business. Same with most of Europe.
Hashem Yinkom Dumam. May his blood be avenged and may us his Jewish brothers and sisters, forever remember the Kiddush Hashem that he brought to the world!
BDE for those blaming the seas of country your Emunah is empty. Tour father in heaven will take us when and where he sees fit. This tragedy could have value crown hgts as well. May the family of our lift brother fined peace and comfort from this point on
Chabad sending young people there is really wrong, an overreach. Dangerous, hostile country.