Jerusalem Man Charged with Murdering Creditor Over 90,000 Shekel Debt

Prosecutors in the Jerusalem District Court have indicted Salah Otman, a 48-year-old resident of the East Jerusalem neighborhood of A-Tur, for the aggravated murder of 61-year-old Fatma Radjabi. The prosecution alleges that Otman murdered Radjabi after she demanded repayment of a significant debt.

According to the indictment, Radjabi had been lending Otman money for approximately three and a half years, believing it was for a business that repaired washing machines. The total debt reportedly reached around 90,000 shekels. Prosecutors claim Otman actually spent the borrowed funds on gambling.

On September 9, Radjabi allegedly stated the debt had grown to 120,000 shekels and demanded repayment by September 12. They agreed to meet on September 13. The prosecution asserts that days before the meeting, Otman decided it would be "cheaper" to kill his creditor. He allegedly purchased a metal barrel, approximately 90 cm high and 55 cm in diameter, to conceal the body.

On the day of the meeting, Otman met Radjabi in Azariya, another East Jerusalem suburb, and drove her towards his home in A-Tur, promising to repay her there. When she again insisted on the money, Otman allegedly retrieved a large hammer, weighing about 2.5 kilograms, from his car trunk and struck her on the head. After a second blow, Radjabi died from her injuries.

Following the murder, Otman allegedly drove around Jerusalem and Tel Aviv for several hours with the body in his car before hiding it in the barrel and sealing it to prevent odors. He then allegedly used Radjabi's bank card to withdraw 15,000 shekels from her account. He disposed of the hammer, phones, and other potential evidence, and washed his trousers to destroy any remaining clues.

Radjabi had been missing for several days, prompting a large-scale police search. Otman was arrested on September 18, and investigators soon discovered the barrel containing the body. During the investigation, Otman reportedly reenacted the crime and led investigators to the body's hiding place. He had initially evaded police, but was eventually located after a relative intervened and informed authorities of his whereabouts. Prosecutors are seeking to keep Otman in custody until the trial concludes.