Man Charged with Murdering Creditor Over Debt in Jerusalem

Israeli prosecutors have indicted Salah Othman, 48, from the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Al-Tur, for the premeditated murder of Fatima Al-Rajabi. The indictment alleges Othman killed Al-Rajabi due to significant financial debts.

According to the prosecution, Al-Rajabi had lent Othman approximately 90,000 shekels over several years, believing the money would be used to start a business repairing washing machines. Instead, Othman allegedly used the funds for gambling. When Al-Rajabi demanded repayment of the outstanding debt, Othman decided to kill her.

The indictment details that Othman purchased a metal barrel days before the murder and hid it in a shed at his home, intending to conceal Al-Rajabi's body. He then lured her from Al-Eizariya to Al-Tur under the pretense of returning her money. Upon their arrival near his home, Othman allegedly took a hammer from his car's trunk and struck Al-Rajabi on the head, delivering a second blow when he noticed she was still alive, resulting in her death.

Prosecutors claim Othman transported Al-Rajabi's body in his car between various locations in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv before placing it in the prepared barrel. He then allegedly poured an insulating substance over the body in an attempt to hide it. Additionally, Othman is accused of stealing Al-Rajabi's payment card, withdrawing 15,000 shekels from her account, and disposing of the hammer and phones he used. He reportedly hid for several days before surrendering to police with the help of a relative.

Othman faces charges including murder under aggravated circumstances, destruction of evidence, theft of a payment card, aggravated fraud using a payment card, and larceny. The prosecution has requested his detention be extended until the conclusion of legal proceedings. The Shalem police station in the Jerusalem district is investigating the case.