UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: DEATH SENTENCE FOR MURDER OF FAMILY

a death sentence handed down to an Emirati for murdering two of his relatives in a land dispute was confirmed by the Ras Al Khaimah Appeal Court in the United Arab Emirates. The incident occurred on July 15, 2007, when the man went to the house of one of the victims. As his two relatives answered the door he shot one in the heart and one in stomach, leaving them lying in a pool of blood, and calmly made his way to the police station. After hearing what had happened, officers rushed the victims to hospital, but they soon died from their injuries. Special forces were deployed in the Shamal area, to stop any possible reprisals. The defendant admitted all the charges and said he had been plotting the murders for the past two years. He also told police he had planned to kill other members of his family, but did not specify who.