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No insanity plea for Reem Island murder accused, says court

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The Emirati woman accused of killing an American teacher in the washroom of an Abu Dhabi mall was fully aware of her actions, court says after checking the medical report.

Published: Tue 26 May 2015, 2:05 AM

Updated: Tue 6 Aug 2024, 3:05 PM

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The Federal Supreme Court on Monday ruled that the accused Emirati woman in the Reem Island murder case is mentally and physically fit, and was fully aware and responsible for her actions.

The court made these remarks after taking a look at the medical report submitted before it.

The case was adjourned till June 8 so that the defence lawyer could prepare for the proceedings.

The 38-year-old woman is accused of stabbing an American teacher to death in a popular Abu Dhabi mall and planting a home-made bomb at the door of an Egyptian-American doctor. She was arrested within 48 hours of committing the first crime.

According to the Abu Dhabi Police, one hour and 20 minutes after the brutal killing in the washroom of Boutik Mall on Al Reem Island, the suspect went to the house of the doctor at the Ali & Sons Building at the Corniche where she planted a “primitive” bomb.

The bomb, which was discovered by the doctor’s son on his way out to Maghreb prayer, was dismantled by the security forces before it detonated.

A CCTV footage released by the Security Media Department of the Ministry of Interior showed the scenes of the crime including the first. Wearing an abaya and niqab, the suspect was seen entering the mall then exiting after stabbing the victim. She then went to the Egyptian American doctor’s building dragging a black suitcase, then leaving with the same suitcase and driving away in her car, a four-wheel drive, with the plate number covered by the UAE flag.

The video also showed the search and inspection procedures conducted by the police and security forces, which eventually led to the arrest of the suspect in what appeared to be her home. The footage also showed the blood-stained steering wheel, the black suitcase, four types of kitchen knives, petrol cans, matches and other articles used to make the crude bomb.

Lt.-Gen. Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan described the crime as “a slap to every noble human value that the UAE cherishes — all of which are derived from the teachings of Islam and the genuine Arab heritage”.

The police said the bomb found in the American doctor’s home targeted him and his family — his wife and three children. “The doctor who was targeted with the bomb informed the security guard about the strange package in front of his door. The guard in turn informed the police who rushed to the spot and evacuated the site. They dismantled the bomb and identified its primitive components that included small gas cylinders, a lighter, glue, and nails to cause maximum injuries when detonated,” the police said.



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