The Federal Appeals Court of Abu Dhabi has sentenced three citizens of Uzbekistan to death for "intentional murder with terrorist intent," including Israeli and Moldovan citizens, and a resident monk Svi Kogan. The verdict was unanimously adopted by the Federal Appeals Court of Abu Dhabi on March 30 by the State Security Chamber.
The Ministry of Interior of the Emirates had previously disclosed their names: Olimboy Tohirovich – 29 years old, Mahmudjon Abdurahim – 29 years old, and Azizbek Komilovich – 34 years old.
The fourth defendant, who assisted the accused, has been sentenced to life imprisonment. After serving the sentence, he will be deported from the UAE. The nationality of this individual has not been disclosed.
According to WAM news agency, Attorney General Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi announced that four defendants were arrested in January 2025 and evidence was presented to the court. The evidence presented to the court by the State Security Prosecutor's Office includes "detailed confessions of the defendants regarding the crimes of murder and kidnapping, forensic medical examination conclusions, post-mortem examination conclusions, details of the tools used in the crime, and witness testimonies."
According to the laws of the United Arab Emirates, death penalty sentences are automatically appealed and sent to the Federal Supreme Court's criminal division for review and decision-making.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan confirmed to Kun.uz that 3 citizens of Uzbekistan have been sentenced to death in the UAE.
"This is not a final verdict yet. Death penalty sentences in the UAE are automatically appealed and sent to the Federal Supreme Court's criminal division," said the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ahror Burhonov, in an interview with Kun.uz. The official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also did not disclose Uzbekistan's position regarding the death sentences for its citizens.
Previously, Israeli publications reported on this verdict based on official sources in the government. Additionally, an audio of a conversation with the mother of one of the defendants circulated on social media. In it, the citizen asked about "the death sentence imposed on him and his accomplices and whether it is possible to hire a lawyer and take action."
The death of the Israeli rabbi in the UAE and the issue of Uzbeks
On November 21, 2024, the body of Svi Kogan, an Israeli and Moldovan citizen, a resident monk in the UAE, was found with signs of murder in the Emirate of Al Ain. The UAE Ministry of Interior arrested three citizens of Uzbekistan on suspicion of involvement in the crime. According to Israeli publications, "Mossad" considers the suspects to be connected to a group related to Iran.
On November 25 of last year, a group of citizens of Uzbekistan working in Dubai was taken away by the police. The police did not comment on the situation, and no one was able to speak with those detained. In a statement to Kun.uz on December 6, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan announced that a note had been sent to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the situation, and a response was awaited.
Later, it was reported that some of them had been released, some had been deported, and criminal cases had been opened against five others.
Additionally, on November 26, 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, Bakhtiyor Saidov, met with the Israeli ambassador and stated that the government of Uzbekistan is closely cooperating with the UAE and Israeli authorities in the investigation processes.
On November 30, 31 citizens of Uzbekistan – all men – flying from Tashkent to Abu Dhabi were not allowed into the Emirates. They were not allowed to pass through the border at Abu Dhabi International Airport. The Uzbek embassy in the UAE announced that it was in communication with the airport administration and relevant authorities of the Emirates, and the situation was under control. Later, it was reported that some of the compatriots stranded at Abu Dhabi International Airport were returned to Uzbekistan.
On December 2 of last year, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bahromjon Aloyev, received the UAE ambassador to Uzbekistan, Said Matar al-Qamzi. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the parties exchanged views on the difficulties observed in the entry of citizens of Uzbekistan into the UAE in recent days and agreed to take measures to resolve the situation as soon as possible.
On December 17, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bakhtiyor Saidov, received the UAE ambassador, Said Matar al-Qamzi. The official release did not contain information about the discussion of the situation related to Uzbeks in the Emirates.
