Yemen Jew shot dead 'for not accepting Islam'

Moshe Yaish-Nahari, the brother of a prominent rabbi in Yemen, was shot dead on Thursday in Rida, Yemen, north of the capital Sana'a, the London-based Arabic newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat has reported (via Ynet News). Nothing to do with Islam, the authorities say: the assailant was mentally unbalanced.

Update: According to the Jerusalem Post, eight suspects have now been arrested for, in all likelihood, a 'religiously-motivated' murder. The BBC prefers to say it is not clear if the motive was 'political'.

Local sources said the suspected killer, Abed el-Aziz el-Abadi, a former MiG-29 pilot in Yemen's air force, has been apprehended and taken in for questioning. Eyewitnesses told the newspaper that el-Abadi had confronted Nahari at the market in Rida, called out to him "Jew, accept the message of Islam" and then proceeded to open fire with a Kalashnikov assault rifle. Nahari was struck by five bullets.

According to the preliminary investigation, the suspect had murdered his wife just two years ago, but avoided jail time by offering her family compensation.

Nahari (pictured) is the brother of Rabbi Yehiya Yaish, one of the leaders of Yemen's Jewish community.

Deputy head of security of the Amran province, Ahmed el-Sarihi, told Asharq Al-Awsat that el-Abadi is "an extremist who suffers from mental problems". According to the security official, the suspect has admitted to killing Nahari, and told his interrogators that "these Jews must convert to Islam".

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Haaretz report (with thanks: Lily)

Zawya Gulf News says that victim's brother wants Sharia justice