Parents seek death penalty for son's killer in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi - The 11-year-old boy was found dead on the rooftop of the building where he stayed.

The parents of the child who was strangled to death on the rooftop of their building in Abu Dhabi have demanded the death sentence for the killer.
The 33-year-old Pakistani man is on trial at the Abu Dhabi Criminal Court of First Instance, accused of killing the 11-year-old boy after raping him.
Police release video of man who killed 11-year-old UAE boy


The Pakistani boy, Azan Majid, went missing on June 1 this year, after he went to a nearby mosque to pray. His body was found the next day on the rooftop of the very building he lived in, on Muroor Road where he was living with his father and stepmother.
During the latest hearing on Wednesday morning, the boy's Pakistani father and his Russian mother told court that they won't pardon the killer in return for anything but rather, they want the man to be executed.
"We are asking for a death penalty if he's found guilty of murder," the parents told the judge.
Killer of 11-year-old UAE boy disguised as a woman


"We want him to be executed for what he did to our son, nothing else. We won't accept blood money from the killer."
Hassan Al Riyami, the lawyer representing the accused, requested a psychiatric committee to test the mental stability of his client. "It's illogical for a sane person to carry out such attacks on a child," Al Riyami told court. "I believe the man is suffering from mental health problems."
The lawyer's request was granted by court.
Al Riyami also asked the judge to give him time so he could speak with the defendant, who doesn't understand Arabic, through a translator before he presents his defence to court.
Court records stated that the boy was sexually abused and strangled to death with a rope by the Pakistani national, who is also related to the child. Police revealed that the man cross-dressed to lure the child into going with him to the rooftop, since he knew that the boy's parents had warned him against trusting men.
The Abu Dhabi Public Prosecution charged the Pakistani with premeditated murder, raping the child, cross-dressing and driving a car without a number plate.
The man pleaded not guilty to all charges against him during the previous hearing, when he first appeared in court. He told the judge that his confession to the police and Public Prosecution was all made under duress.
The trial was adjourned until October 11.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi