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
