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UAE sentences Emirati woman to death

The woman, said by police to have become radicalised over the internet, killed a kindergarten teacher identified as Romanian-born Ibolya Ryan, a mother of 11-year-old twins, by stabbing her in a toilet at an Abu Dhabi shopping mall.

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The attack took place in the bathroom of a shopping mall in the capital, Abu Dhabi.

Police officials tracked down al-Hashemi who was dressed in black from head-to-toe during the attacks, within 48 hours at her house using CCTV footage.

The woman also was found guilty of placing a crude explosive device at the door of an American doctor that never exploded, the statement said.

Hashemi “was also found guilty of sending money to al-Qa’ida in Yemen, knowing the funds would be used in terrorist acts”, “The National” said.

The Federal Supreme Court sentenced to death an unnamed Emirati woman after a December arrest for the deadly stabbing of 47-year-old Ibola Ryan, according to a statement posted to Wam, the state-run news agency.

The president can, however, decide to overturn the sentence or reduce it.

As the sentence was announced, Hashemi showed no emotions, according to AFP.

“As she was led from court she smiled and waved at her father and brother, who were in court to witness the proceedings”.

Sheik Saif bin Zayed al Nahyan, the U.A.E.’s minister of interior, said in December that the victim was targeted exclusively due to her nationality.

The courtroom ordered psychiatric exams which confirmed she was conscious of her actions.

Last year, it issued a list of 83 Islamist groups it classified as “terrorist organisations”.

Attacks against foreigners are rare in the UAE, which is home to the popular tourist destination of Dubai and where expatriates far outnumber Emirati citizens.

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While UAE law allows for the death penalty in certain cases, capital punishment is rarely carried out.

UAE woman 'sentenced to death for killing US teacher' | i24news - See beyond