Final ruling draws near for child murderer

DUBAI // A court is due to issue its final ruling this morning is in the case of the convicted killer of four-year-old Moosa Mukhtiar Ahmed - the last step before execution. The Dubai Court of Appeals announced that it would issue its final verdict in the case the Rashid al Rashidi in the Court of Cassation, the emirate's highest court, today. He was found guilty by the Dubai Court of First Instance of murdering Moosa in a mosque during Eid al Adha last year, and sentenced to death by firing squad.
The Court of Cassation, which heard his final appeal last week, is empowered to review only the legality of the lower court's procedures. It does not review evidence presented there. A panel of five judges will either uphold the previous verdict or return the case to the lower courts for review. If the Court of Cassation upholds the Appeals Court's decision the case will be referred to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, who would set the execution date.

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