Man murdered inside Al Ain mosque, attacker arrested

Abu Dhabi - The suspect shot the man in the head and other body parts, leading to his death.

A worshipper was shot dead inside a mosque in a residential area of Al Ain City, said authorities.
Abu Dhabi public prosecution on Monday said they have referred an Arab man to the Criminal Court after investigations suggested he had fired several bullets at the victim, which led to his death.
Officers said the incident that shocked Al Ain city residents took place in recent days while the Arab man was reportedly seated in a mosque located in a residential area near his home.
Officers said the man had stalked the victim from his home until he was alone inside the mosque.
"The man went and stood near the door of the mosque before he entered after he saw the victim seated alone there," said prosecutors.
"He walked towards the victim from behind, and then shot several bullets in his head and other body parts."
After killing the man, the suspect ran away but later surrendered at a Police Station in Al Ain city.
Investigations suggested that the suspect had illegally obtained a gun, with the purpose of murdering the victim in revenge, for past family issues.
During interrogations at prosecution, the suspect admitted to killing the man using a gun.
Some eyewitnesses also confirmed to authorities that the man carried out the attack on the victim. Officers said it was a terrible act to attack the victim inside the mosque, and without taking into account the sanctity of the holy place of worship.
Prosecutors charged the Arab man with premeditated murder, illegal possession of a firearm and possession and abuse of psychotropic substances.
He was also charged with abuse of Islamic rituals and places of worship. Pubic prosecutors said they have referred the man to court and requested for a death penalty, if he is found guilty of murder.
Officials have warned people against such violent and unlawful behaviours, stressing they are alien to the UAE society.
- ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi