DUBAI // A new lawyer has been appointed to represent the man found guilty of raping and killing Obaida Al Aqrabawi, 8, after his previous lawyer asked to be excused.
Emirati Ali Musabbeh Dhahi requested a copy of the case file from Dubai Appeals Court as part of Jordanian Nidal Abu Ali's mandatory appeal against a death sentence. Abu Ali has refused to attend.
Omran Darweesh, who represented the killer in the Criminal Court, earlier told judges that he had done his duty as a lawyer and wished to be excused.
Jordanian Obaida was kidnapped on May 20 while playing outside his father’s garage in Sharjah’s industrial area. His body was found two days later dumped by a motorway in Al Warqa, Dubai.
Abu Ali, 48, admitted to drinking excessive amounts of alcohol that day and killing the boy, but denied sexually assaulting or kidnapping him.
He was sentenced to death by the 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.
Abu Ali had claimed during his trial that he suffered from a mental illness but the court dismissed this as it was not supported by documents.
The next hearing is scheduled for October 23.
salamir@thenational.ae
