Man Charged with Murder Over $25,000 Debt After Brutal Hammer Attack

The State Prosecutor's Office has filed an indictment against Salah Ottoman, a 48-year-old resident of a-Tur in Jerusalem, for aggravated murder of Fatima Rajabi, who died approximately three weeks ago. The indictment alleges that Ottoman murdered Rajabi due to a debt he owed her, having borrowed a cumulative sum of about 90,000 shekels (approximately $25,000) over the years. Ottoman, who reportedly gambled and incurred debts, knew the victim through his work as a technician. She lent him the money, believing he needed it to start a business repairing washing machines, but he allegedly used it for gambling instead.

When Rajabi demanded repayment of the outstanding debt, Ottoman decided to kill her. He purchased a metal barrel in advance, hiding it in a shed at his home. Approximately three weeks ago, Ottoman met Rajabi in Issawiya, telling her he would bring her the money from his home. On the way to his house, as she continued to demand her money, he retrieved a hammer from his car's trunk and struck her violently on the head. When he noticed she was still moving, he struck her again, causing her death shortly thereafter.

Following the murder, Ottoman allegedly drove around Jerusalem and Tel Aviv with Rajabi's body in his car. He later placed the body in the barrel, covering it with sealant to prevent its discovery. He also withdrew 15,000 shekels from her account using her debit card, disposed of the hammer, and discarded the mobile phones he had used. Ottoman remained at large for several days until a relative met with him and turned him over to the police. The prosecution is seeking his detention until the conclusion of legal proceedings.