Body of Emirati student killed in US laid to rest

Abu Dhabi - He was laid to rest in Bani Yas cemetery on Friday

The body of the 26-year-old Emirati student, Saif Nasser Al Ameri, who was shot in the head by Ohio police, was laid to rest in Bani Yas cemetery on Friday, after funeral prayers held at Al Rawashid Mosque.
The funeral was attended by senior officials, including Dr Ahmad bin Abdullah Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Cabinet Member and the Minister of State for Higher Education, and Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, chairman of Masdar and Abu Dhabi Ports and director-general and CEO of Adnoc, where Al Ameri once worked.
The Minister of State for Higher Education told Khaleej Times that comments on the incident cannot be made until an official statement is released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC).
However, Dr Al Falasi has urged Emirati students studying abroad to take care of themselves following the death of the young student, which was described as a "painful incident," by Mohammed Mer Al Raisi, Undersecretary at MoFAIC and ruled as a homicide by the Summit Country Medical Examiners in the US.
"We are waiting for an official statement, but for now I want to advice students studying everywhere to be more careful and to take care of themselves," said Dr Al Falasi.
"Our prayers and thoughts go out to the family and my condolences go out to the parents."
"It is a time of mourning," added the minister.
Meanwhile, tributes and unanswered questions continue to pour on social media across the nation for the student, who was studying his Masters at Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, after receiving a scholarship from Adnoc.
Khaleej Times readers took to Facebook expressing their grief over Al Ameri's tragic death.
One reader commented: "US government should take serious action against the officer."
Another read: "May Allah give patience to his family."
"We need justice," said a reader.
Despite Al Ameri's death ruled as a homicide, the officer who shot the student is currently on paid leave pending the investigation results. The officer has been identified as Ryan Doran.
A team from Abu Dhabi Police's Criminal Investigation Department have also been sent to Ohio, in coordination with the MoFAIC, to help with the investigation.
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE