• Home
• /
• UAE
• /
• Crime

Accused in Obaida's murder case sentenced to death

Dubai - The bench also ruled that 48-year-old Jordanian defendant, Nidal Abdullah, should pay Dh 21,000 in civil damages.

Read more...

A bench of the Dubai Court of First Instance on Monday unanimously sentenced to death a Jordanian man convicted of raping and killing eight-year-old Obaida.
The court also ruled the 48-year-old Jordanian defendant, Nidal Eissa Abdullah, should pay Dh21,000 in temporary civil damages to Obaida's family and that his body be repatriated after execution.
Speaking after the sentencing, Obaida's father Ibrahim Al Aqrabawi said he was satisfied as justice was finally brought to his son. He said he would visit his son's grave to tell him that his killer would be executed for what he did.
Must read: Severe punishment sought for Obaida's killer
Case details: Obaida resisted his killer as much as he could
"This murder has resulted in the loss of my innocent child who did nothing wrong. Since my son's death I have been waiting for this moment. To be in the court to hear this judgement has offered some calm at this time."
He also thanked all those who offered his family support during the difficult period.  
Several other members of the Jordanian child's family welcomed the verdict with tears and sighs of relief, and hugged each other, praising God and justice.
The defendant, who appeared calm and did not show any expression upon hearing his conviction, was escorted by several security guards out of the courtroom right after the verdict was read out.
About the accused: Accused in Obaida case refuses to show up in court
According to the verdict, the defendant was convicted of premeditated murder, kidnap, physical assault, making criminal threats, consuming alcohol without licence and drink driving, based on the solid technical evidence and witnesses presented by the public prosecution.
The accused retracted his earlier confession and denied the charges in the previous hearing. He claimed he was not in Al Mamzar area of Dubai where he is accused of taking the victim when the incident took place on May 20.
The defendant denied he had given a confession to the police officers or led them to where he disposed of the victim's body.
Admittance: Accused admits to Obaida's murder and sexual assault charges
Interesting read: Accused in Obaida's case requests secret trial
He claimed before the court that he suffered from mental and psychological problems. He told the court he does not recall anything and is not aware of what happened on the day of the incident.
His defence lawyer requested that his client be examined by a medical team to determine his state of mind when he allegedly committed the crime.

Death sentence A capital punishment verdict becomes final after it is upheld by Dubai's top court, the Court of Cassation. And it has to be approved by the Dubai Ruler before it can be executed by a firing squad. The verdict text  The defendant was convicted of premeditated murder, kidnap, physical assault, making criminal threats, consuming of alcohol without licence and drink driving, based on the solid technical evidence and witnesses presented by the public prosecution.

The lawyer also requested the charge of murder and kidnap be modified to assault resulting in death. He argued on the grounds that his client did not have any criminal intentions.
The public prosecution had called on the court all along to award the death penalty to the accused.
"What mercy or leniency is he asking for given the horrendous way he committed his crime? He is a monster and does not deserve to live in our safe society," chief prosecutor Dr Ali Al Housani said.
Abdullah had admitted earlier that he drank five bottles of vodka before and on the day he kidnapped the victim.
Obaida was reported missing from outside his father's car workshop in Sharjah on May 20. His body was found after two days under a tree on the Academic City Road in Al Warqa area of Dubai.
Monday morning's verdict remains subject to appeal.
A capital punishment verdict becomes final after it is upheld by Dubai's top court, the Court of Cassation. But it has to be approved by the Dubai Ruler before it can be executed by a firing squad.
Faraj Aqrabawi, an uncle of Obaida, said the family had gone for vacation and just returned on Monday. "I attended all court hearings," he said. He praised the UAE legal authorities for bringing justice to Obaida so that his soul can rest in peace.
Aqrabawi said it was a fair trial.
"We think he deserves the death sentence for committing this awful crime. He still has the right to appeal but we are sure he will be sentenced to death." The uncle added that Obaida's father has not slept for two days as he arrived from his vacation just on Monday at 2am.
He said that after the judgement Obaida's father went to Obaida's grave and said: "Now your soul will rest in peace. The UAE government has brought justice." The father then broke down.
Obaida's father on his part, praised and thanked the leaders of the UAE for bring justice to his son.
mary@khaleejtimes.com
 
 

Similar incidents 2015 May > Paedophile jailed for raping 9-yr-old boy in Ajman 2015 February > 4 jailed for sexually abusing 13-year-old boy 2014 September > Two Emirati brothers sentenced to six years and three months in jail each for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy, 2014 April > Two jailed for sexually assaulting 12 -year-old. 2013 November > Two men kidnapped and raped a 12-year-old boy then threatened to kill his parents and burn down his house if he reported them. 2009 December > Boy raped and killed in mosque toilet, one held