Obaida's father, Ibrahim Al Aqrabawi, kisses his little boy's photograph at the mourning tent in Sharjah's industrial area.
Dubai - Suspect will go on trial within a week, says lawyer
Published: Thu 2 Jun 2016, 7:36 PM
Last updated: Thu 2 Jun 2016, 7:56 PM
The Sharjah Consultative Council has assigned a lawyer to represent the family of an 8-year-old Jordanian boy, who was kidnapped, sexually assaulted and murdered by a compatriot.
Obaida Ibrahim Al Aqrabawi, a Grade 2 student, was abducted from outside his family home in Sharjah's industrial area on May 20. His body was found under a tree on Academic City Road in Al Warqaa, Dubai. He had been strangled and there were signs of sexual assault. The police arrested a 48-year-old Jordanian male suspect for the crime.
Suspect was not my friend, says Obaida's father
Obaida's father, Ibrahim Al Aqrabawi, has strongly refuted rumours doing the rounds on social media that the man arrested for the murder was his friend.
"My relationship with the murderer was just 45 days old. He came to my garage located under our house in Sharjah's industrial area to get his car repaired. I met him just three times," he said.
He said he saw the man talking to his son, but did not worry as he thought it was just a casual talk.
He requested residents to stop spreading rumours such as these.
amira@khaleejtimes.com
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Major Shahin Al Mazmi, Director of Women and Child Protection Section of the Dubai Police's Human Rights Department, said the consultative council has assigned advocate Obaid Al Mazmi to fight the case.
Major Al Mazmi said the new child protection law will come into effect from June 15. According to the law, criminals such as the one in this case will be sentenced to death if found guilty.
Major Al Mazmi was speaking at a Press conference held at the condolence tent in Sharjah.
A number of residents, including children carrying photographs of the murdered boy, visited the tent to show their solidarity with the family. Some of them delivered moving speeches at the tent, while others conveyed their condolences to the family.
The boy's father, Ibrahim Al Aqrabawi, praised His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and the Sharjah Consultative Council for their support.
Suspect is an illegal
According to the police, the suspect had been living in the UAE illegally. He has been in the country for the past six years. He has a criminal record, said Major Al Mazmi.
Advocate Al Mazmi said he expected the public prosecution to complete the investigation within a week. He said the trial will last for three to four months. The UAE's judiciary, he added, will give justice to the victim's family.
According to the lawyer, if found guilty of murder, the suspect will be sentenced to life imprisonment. If, however, he is found guilty of kidnap, rape and murder, he will be sentenced to death.
The suspect, a 48-year-old Jordanian, reportedly lured the boy into riding with him, saying he would buy a scooter for him. He then took the boy to Al Mamzar area in a car he borrowed from his building watchman. He parked the car and started drinking alcohol. He asked the boy to undress, but the boy resisted and told the man he would tell his father.
The suspect then strangled the boy to death and continued consuming alcohol till 5am the next day. He then drove to Academic City and dumped the body.
amira@khaleejtimes.com
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