Middle East News
Dubai seeks death penalty for man accused of raping, murdering boy
Dec 16, 2009, 14:46 GMT
Dubai - Prosecutors in Dubai said Wednesday they would seek the death penalty for a man accused of raping and murdering a four- year-old boy in a mosque on the morning of a Muslim holiday.
It was a 'deplorable crime that shook the community. It is contrary to all the values and traditions of our society,' said Attorney-General Essam al-Humaidan, noting the event took place on the Eid al-Adha holiday last month.
He said the prosecution would seek a speedy trial in the case, which has shocked the emirate.
Police say the accused, a 30-year-old UAE national from Bahrain, confessed to luring the Pakistani child to the bathroom of a mosque with promises of gifts, sexually assaulting him, then smothering him to death when the boy cried.
Police reportedly said the man had told them he had gone to the mosque after a night of heavy drinking.
Police have said the man had two previous convictions, but did not specify the nature of the crimes.
The father of the boy has called the accused a 'monster' and demanded the death penalty.
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