The Department does not specify a motive for the murder, but a source at the Israeli Foreign Ministry tells AP that he was simply "killed because of who he was" – and the murder is causing concern among the growing Israeli community in the country.
The 28-year-old ultra-orthodox rabbi ran a kosher food store in Dubai, a city that Israelis have flocked to for trade and tourism since the United Arab Emirates and Israel normalized their relations at the end of 2020.
The three arrested are between 28 and 33 years old. The state-controlled news agency Wam has published pictures of the three men wearing blindfolds and prison uniforms. They are now being prepared to be handed over to the prosecution authority for further investigation.
Suspicions of involvement have been directed at Iran, which has been accused of being behind kidnappings in the United Arab Emirates previously. However, Iran's embassy in the country has denied allegations of involvement in the incident.
Zvi Kogan's body was flown back to Israel on Monday ahead of a planned funeral on Tuesday.
