DUBAI // The lawyer of a man convicted of raping and killing eight-year-old Obaida Al Aqrabawi has requested his client’s medical records be sent to the court from hospital.
At Dubai Court of Appeal, the defence lawyer representing 48-year-old Jordanian Nidal Abu Ali told the judge: “Your honour, I would like the court to check if medical records exist for my client at Rashid and Dubai Hospital and request them if they are available.”
Abu Ali claimed he suffered from a mental illness, but the court dismissed this because it was not supported by documents.
However, his lawyer said a mental health report had been compiled by a medical committee but he had not read it.
Obaida, also Jordanian, was kidnapped on May 20 while playing outside his father’s garage in Sharjah’s industrial area. His body was found two days later in Al Warqa, Dubai.
Abu Ali admitted to drinking alcohol and killing the boy, but denied sexual assault and kidnapping.
He was sentenced to death by Dubai Criminal Court on August 15 for kidnap, rape and premeditated murder. He was also found guilty of drinking alcohol without a licence and driving under the influence.
The case has been adjourned until January 8.
tzriqat@thenational.ae
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Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
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Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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Friday, May 24:
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Saturday, May 25
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Sunday, May 26
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