ROME (JTA) — Milan police reportedly have security camera images that apparently show the killer of an Iranian-Jewish businessman entering the victim’s carpet shop after hours.
Parviz Gorjian, 79, was found dead on Thursday night in the shop in a pool of blood.
The security camera images indicate that the suspected killer may have been there by appointment — Gorjian only met at his shop office with “known and select clientele,” the Milan Jewish community’s website reported.
Gorjian, who immigrated to Italy with his family nearly 40 years ago, was stabbed in the throat and had suffered other knife wounds, according to the community and other reports.
First reports said the killing appeared to be a robbery gone wrong, but other theories said it may have been rooted in business.
According to news reports, Gorjian and his family traded in valuable Persian carpets and precious stones. The victim’s cellphone and wallet were missing, but none of the carpets in the shop appeared to have been taken.
His body was discovered by his son after Gorjian failed to return home.
The Jewish community’s website said Gorjian was an “esteemed member” of the Persian Jewish congregation in the city and that his murder had strirred “profound pain and consternation in the entire Jewish community.”
Reports described Gorjian as a well-off, elegant and highly respected man.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
