Accused in Abu Dhabi boy rape-murder case fit to stand trial

The man who is accused of strangling a child to death on the rooftop of their building in Abu Dhabi is mentally stable and was fully responsible for his actions when he committed the murder, according to a medical report.

The 33-year-old Pakistani man is on trial at the Abu Dhabi Criminal Court of First Instance accused of killing the 11-year-old boy after raping him.

The Pakistani boy -- identified as Azan Majid -- was found missing on June 1, after he went to a nearby mosque to pray. His body was found the next day on the rooftop of the building on the Muroor Road where he was staying with his father and stepmother (police release video of accused).

And during the latest hearing on Wednesday morning, a medical committee presented a report showing that the killer doesn't suffer from any mental illness and that he was fully responsible for his actions.

"The man is mentally stable and doesn't suffer from any mental or psychological illnesses. He was responsible for his actions," said the medical report.

After reading the medical report before him, the Pakistani man said to the court that it was true he has never suffered from any mental illnesses. He however continued to deny murdering the child.

Hassan Al Riyami, the lawyer representing the Pakistani, had earlier requested a psychiatric committee to test the mental stability of his client arguing that it was illogical for a sane person to carry out such attacks on a child. And his request was granted by court.

Al Riyami has today told court that he will present his defense in the next hearing.

Also on Wednesday, the boy's Pakistani father and his Russian mother asked court to speed up the case saying they were traumatized by their child's murder and that they want justice to to be reached at very fast.

The parents had earlier asked for a death penalty if the man is found guilty of murder. They told the judge that they won't pardon the killer in return for anything but rather, they want the man to be executed.

Court records stated that the boy was sexually abused and strangled to death with a rope by the Pakistani national, who is also related to the child.

Police revealed that the man cross-dressed to carry out the attacks on the child, after luring the boy into going with him to the rooftop of the building.

The Abu Dhabi Public Prosecution charged the Pakistani with premeditated murder, raping the child, cross-dressing and driving a car without a number plate.

The man pleaded not guilty to all charges against him during the previous hearing when he first appeared in court. He told the judge that his confession at Police and Public Prosecution was all under duress.

The trial has been adjourned until October 24.

ismail@khaleejtimes

• Abu Dhabi

Ismail Sebugwaawo

ismail@khaleejtimes.com