UAE court still seeking Reem Island murder victim’s relatives

Prosecutors are still trying to make contact with the blood relatives of Ibolya Ryan, the American teacher who was stabbed to death in a toilet stall at Boutik Mall.

Alaa Al Hashemi is on trial for the murder of Ibolya Ryan at Boutik Mall, Reem Island, in December. Courtesy Security Media

ABU DHABI // Prosecutors are still trying to contact the family of murdered American teacher Ibolya Ryan, the Federal Supreme Court heard on Monday.

Alaa Al Hashemi, 30, an Emirati, is on trial for stabbing Ryan, 47, to death in a bathroom at Boutik Mall, Reem Island, in December.

At a hearing last month, Judge Falah Al Hajeri asked the court to find Ryan’s heirs.

Under Shariah, if Al Hashemi is found guilty of murder, it will be the relatives who decide whether to demand her execution or accept a blood money settlement.

On Monday, prosecutors said they had not been able to track down Ryan’s relatives.

In earlier hearings, Al Hashemi claimed she was “possessed by evil spirits” and had a chronic mental illness.

At the last hearing, Judge Al Hajeri requested the defendant be examined by a medical committee. On Monday, the court heard a report as to whether she was mentally ill was not yet ready.

Al Hashemi is also accused of trying to murder a doctor and his family by planting a home-made bomb outside their flat. She is also accused of using websites to spread terrorist propaganda and defaming symbols of the UAE.