Death sentence for man who strangled Emirati 'Samaritan'

DUBAI // A man who strangled an Emirati "Samaritan" in a drink-fuelled attack more than ten years ago has been sentenced to death.

AA, 50, holding a Comoros Islands passport, staked out the woman's home in Satwa drinking beer in his car until he was sure she was home alone before breaking in and strangling her.

Prosecutors said the attack was motivated by his belief that Maryam Mohammed, 59, was incredibly wealthy because she so often helped the poor and needy. After killing the woman - described in court as a "Samaritan" - he tried to break into her safe, but was unsuccessful so fled to his home in Ajman where he continued drinking.

A friend found Maryam's body on September 5, 2002. However, police could not find a match for the lone finger print they found on the safe until 10 years later, when it was matched to AA.

Police said he admitted killing the woman, and told them that since then he had avoided all travel to Dubai to escape detection.

salamir@thenational.ae