The UAE Supreme Court overturns the death sentence issued against a man.
The UAE Federal Supreme Court overturned an appeals court ruling that upheld the death sentence of a man convicted of killing a woman and attempting to kill another man, concluding that his right to an adequate defense was not adequately protected.The case has now been returned to the Court of Appeal for a new hearing before a different tribunal.
The accused contested intent to kill
According to Khaleej Times, prosecutors charged the man with premeditated murder, alleging that he bought sharp scissors, hid the weapon and waited until he was alone with the woman on the stairs leading to the roof of the apartment building where they lived.He allegedly stabbed her several times, fatally wounding her.
Prosecutors also accused him of trying to kill another man by stabbing him repeatedly.The second victim survived after receiving medical treatment. The third charge relates to having an illicit relationship with the deceased woman, although the court of first instance later changed the legal classification of this crime.The court of first instance sentenced the accused to death as retaliation for committing the crime of premeditated murder, life imprisonment for the charge of attempted murder, and imprisonment for a month for the third charge.
It also ordered the confiscation of the scissors, obligating the accused to pay judicial expenses, and deporting the accused after the end of his sentence. The Court of Appeal later upheld the entire ruling.
Supreme Court points out defense lapses
The accused then appealed the ruling before the Federal Supreme Court, claiming that he did not have the intention to kill, that he acted under provocation, and that he should undergo a psychological evaluation to determine his mental state at the time of the incident.
He also sought to have the charges reclassified, claiming the evidence did not establish the specific intent required for premeditated murder.The Supreme Court ruled that the Court of Appeal had failed to adequately consider or respond to the defence’s main arguments, despite their potential impact on the outcome of the case.
A new hearing was ordered
The Supreme Court affirmed that all death sentences in the UAE are subject to automatic review before their implementation, and stressed that courts must not only hear defense submissions, but must also provide reasoned decisions on substantive requests.The Federal Supreme Court concluded that this legal standard was not met, so it overturned the Court of Appeal ruling and referred the case back to the Court of Appeal for reconsideration before a different judicial body. The ruling does not rise to the level of acquittal, and the case will now be reconsidered.
