UAE: Driver who killed colleague loses appeal against death sentence

A motorist who killed a colleague by repeatedly running him over in a car in Sharjah has had his death sentence confirmed.

The Federal Supreme Court in Abu Dhabi upheld the execution ruling of the criminal court and the court of appeal in Sharjah after the family of the Asian victim refused to waive their rights and would not accept blood money.

The man’s execution now awaits the approval of the President of the UAE.

Court records show that the man deliberately hit his colleague and ran over him until he died in Al Dhait, Sharjah, two years ago.

Prosecutors said that after killing his friend, the man stole his mobile phone. The killer, who does not have a driving licence, was behind the wheel of the victim’s car when he killed him, prosecutors added. During previous court hearings, the man admitted to killing his friend after the duo had an argument.

“He had beaten me up first,” said the defendant, who claimed that this provoked him.

“I hit him and also ran over him several times with his car,” he added. A police forensic report revealed there were a number of tyre-marks on the victim’s body. The report also showed that there was blood on the car.

Sharjah Public Prosecution charged the defendant with murder, theft, driving the victim’s car without his consent, driving without a licence and endangering the lives of others through dangerous and reckless driving. Prosecutors demanded the death penalty for the murder charge and Dhs500 fines for each of the other charges.

Source: 7daysindubai, Oct. 7, 2012