Man Charged with Murdering Woman Over NIS 90,000 Debt

Prosecutors have filed an indictment against a 48-year-old man from the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Al-Tur for the murder of Fatima Al-Rajabi last month. The indictment alleges the suspect planned the killing due to a significant financial debt owed to Al-Rajabi, whom he knew through his work. He had reportedly borrowed approximately NIS 90,000 from her over the years, claiming the money was for a business venture, but actually used it for gambling.

According to the indictment, after Al-Rajabi demanded repayment of the outstanding debt, the suspect purchased a large barrel to conceal her body. He then lured her to his home in Al-Tur, under the pretense of repaying her. Upon arrival, when she continued to press for the money, he struck her on the head with a hammer from his car's trunk, delivering a second blow when she still moved, causing her death.

Following the murder, the suspect transported the body in his car through Jerusalem and Tel Aviv before placing it in the prepared barrel and attempting to obscure it with an insulating substance. He also stole her payment card, withdrawing NIS 15,000 from her account, and disposed of the phones he used to erase evidence. He hid for several days before a relative turned him over to the police. The Shalem station in the Jerusalem district led the investigation.

The charges include aggravated murder, evidence tampering, payment card theft, aggravated payment card fraud, and theft. The prosecution is requesting the suspect be held in custody until the legal proceedings are concluded.