Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  On 26 November 2024, Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov met with Israel’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Gideon Lustig.

The minister expressed his heartfelt condolences over the tragic death of Tzvi Kogan.

"The people of Uzbekistan have always demonstrated respect and friendliness toward people of all religions and nationalities," Saidov noted.

He emphasized that there is no place for nationalism in Uzbekistan. "Terrorism and extremism recognize neither borders nor national identities. The Uzbek government is working closely with the UAE and Israeli authorities to conduct a thorough and objective investigation into this case," he added.

Tzvi Kogan, a 28-year-old rabbi residing in the UAE, went missing in Dubai, where he owned a kosher food store. His body was later discovered in Al Ain, near the border with Oman.

Kogan, who also held Moldovan citizenship, was a representative of the Chabad movement in Abu Dhabi and had lived in the UAE for several years.

According to the Emirates News Agency, UAE authorities have arrested three suspects in connection with the rabbi’s murder. All are citizens of Uzbekistan.

The UAE Ministry of Interior disclosed their identities as Olimboy Tokhirovich (28), Mahmudjon Abdurakhim (28), and Azizbek Kamilovich (33).