Man Charged with Murder, Hiding Body in Barrel

Prosecutors in Jerusalem have filed a murder indictment against Salah Othman, 48, a resident of the East Jerusalem neighborhood of a-Tur. Othman is accused of the aggravated murder of Fatima Rajabi approximately three weeks ago. According to the indictment, Othman purchased a metal barrel in advance to conceal her body. He allegedly murdered her by repeatedly striking her head with a hammer after she demanded repayment of a debt.

Othman, who reportedly gambled frequently and accumulated significant debts, had borrowed about 90,000 shekels from Rajabi over the years. He told her the money was for a business venture, but instead used it for gambling. When Rajabi pressed him for repayment, Othman decided to kill her.

The indictment states that Othman planned the murder days in advance, acquiring a metal barrel and hiding it in a backyard shed. He met Rajabi, telling her he would repay her, and drove her towards his home. Near his residence, after she again demanded her money, he retrieved a hammer from his car's trunk and struck her head multiple times, killing her.

Following the murder, Othman drove with Rajabi's body in his car to various locations in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. He then placed the body in the pre-purchased barrel and poured sealant over it to prevent discovery. He also stole 15,000 shekels from her account using her debit card, hid the hammer, and disposed of mobile phones to hinder the police investigation.

Othman evaded capture for several days until he met with a relative who turned him in to the police. The investigation was led by the Jerusalem District's Shalem station. Othman faces charges including aggravated murder, destruction of evidence, debit card theft, aggravated debit card fraud, and theft. Prosecutors have requested his detention until the legal proceedings conclude.