Sharjah: The trial of an Emirati man facing charges of killing his mother by slitting her throat and cutting her tongue was adjourned on Sunday by the Sharia Court here to January 3. The court allowed the adjournment so that the defendant can be examined by a psychiatrist.

The defendant earlier told the judge that his mother practised witchcraft and he had received a “divine message” to kill her.

The trial began on November 4 after the suspect asked Judge Hussain Al Assofi to hold hearings in closed sessions.

The incident took place on June 7, when the 29-year-old Emirati suspect, identified as N.M.E.L., killed his mother.

The suspect said he murdered his mother because he wanted to punish her for practising witchcraft.

The woman was killed at an apartment in Sharjah’s Al Mamzar area.

The public prosecution has sought capital punishment for the defendant.

In his testimony, the defendant said his aunt had told him about his mother practising witchcraft.

Upon searching his mother’s house, he claimed to have found material and papers related to black magic.

He then confronted the 50-year-old woman who, according to the defendant, admitted to practising witchcraft.

The deceased was a Danish national of Lebanese origin. She was identified as A.M.A.A.

The accused told the prosecution that he covered her mouth as she slept and killed her. He told the prosecution that he was fully aware of what he did and had no regrets.

A prosecutor told Gulf News that the defendant continued staying in the apartment for days with the decomposed body.

The incident came to light when police were tipped off about a man brandishing a knife in a supermarket and refusing to pay for the items he had bought. When the police arrived and sought to see his identity documents, the man took them to the apartment where the police found the woman’s body

Outside his flat, the police officers detected a foul smell and later they discovered the partially decomposed body.

Judge Al Assofi ordered checking the mental condition of the suspect at the time of the crime.

The court assigned a lawyer for the suspect but he declined legal help asking the judge to try him under Sharia.

Hani Al Jasmi, the suspect’s lawyer, told Gulf News that the suspect was suffering from psychological problems and he had a file in Denmark where he stayed with his mother. He was treated there for his psychological problems. “We are asking for the file and it still hasn’t reached us,” he said