Reem Island killer’s husband learnt how to build bombs online, court told

Emirati M A H, whose wife Alaa Al Hashemi was executed last year for the murder of the American mum of three in a toilet at Boutik Mall in December 2014, experimented with ways to make explosives using Clorox, aluminium, gunpowder from fireworks as well as gas cannisters.

ABU DHABI // The husband of the woman executed for killing US teacher Ibolya Ryan on Reem Island used online tutorials to learn how to build home-made bombs as part of a plot to blow up the Yas Marina Circuit and assassinate one of the country’s leaders, a court was told.

Emirati M A H, whose wife Alaa Al Hashemi was executed last year for the murder of the American mother of three in a toilet at Boutik Mall in December 2014, experimented with ways to make explosives using Clorox, aluminium, gunpowder from fireworks as well as gas canisters.

The 35-year-old is on trial at the Federal Supreme Court for seven terror-related offences, including a plan to bomb Yas Marina Circuit and Ikea, as well as to kill one of the UAE’s leaders.

“The accused purchased 30 butane gas containers of various sizes with intent to create explosives and commit acts of terror in the country to instil fear,” prosecutors said.

“He also bought instant coolpacks from pharmacies and extracted the nitrates inside and mixed it with aluminium to see how fast they would become flammable.”

M A H’s experiments included attaching batteries to gas cylinders. He also bought 20 illegal Sim cards in Saudi Arabia that he intended to use in terrorist activities.

Prosecutors told the court that M A H was so devoted to joining ISIL that he went on YouTube and participated in a ceremonial act with his wife, repeating statements and pledging allegiance to the terrorist organisation and appointing himself as its emir in the country.

The court also heard that M A H sent about Dh80,000 to Al Qaeda.

“The defendant and his wife both planned terrorist attacks in the country in retaliation for the UAE’s stance against ISIL,” said prosecutors, adding that a forensics examination of M A H’s laptop and external hard drive found evidence and documents showing how he used online tutorials to try to make explosives.

The case was adjourned to March 28 for lawyers to prepare their defence.