Man Charged with Murdering Creditor Over NIS 90,000 Debt

Prosecutors in Jerusalem have filed an indictment against Salah Othman, 48, from the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Al-Tur, for the aggravated murder of Fatima Al-Rajabi. According to the indictment, Othman planned the murder due to a significant financial debt owed to Al-Rajabi. He allegedly purchased a barrel in advance to conceal her body before luring her to his home and striking her on the head with a hammer until she died. The prosecution is seeking his continued detention until the legal proceedings are concluded.

The indictment, submitted by prosecutor Nati Ben Hammo, details that Othman had gambling debts totaling approximately 90,000 shekels, which Al-Rajabi, whom he knew through his work as a technician, had lent him over the years. Othman had claimed the money was for a washing machine business, but he used it for gambling.

When Al-Rajabi pressed him for repayment, Othman decided to kill her. Days before the murder, he bought a metal barrel and hid it in a storage area at his home. He then met Al-Rajabi in Al-Eizariya, about three weeks ago, and drove her towards his home in Al-Tur, promising to repay her. Upon arrival near his house, as she continued to demand her money, he took a hammer from his car trunk and hit her forcefully on the head. He struck her again after noticing she was still moving, leading to her death.

Following the murder, Othman transported the body in his car through various locations in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv before placing it in the prepared barrel and pouring a sealant over it to prevent discovery. He also stole Al-Rajabi's payment card, withdrawing 15,000 shekels from her account, and disposed of the hammer and phones he used to destroy evidence and evade police. Othman hid for several days before a relative turned him in to the police. The Shalem station in the Jerusalem district led the investigation. Othman is accused of aggravated murder, destroying evidence, credit card theft, and aggravated credit card fraud.