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Residents in Dubai hold a candelight vigil for Ibolya Ryan at Jumeirah Kite Beach. Image Credit: Ahmed Kutty/Gulf News

Abu Dhabi: Federal Supreme Court judge Falah Al Hajeri reiterated the UAE’s reputation as a safe and stable country despite the heinous crime committed by Ala’a Al Hashimi.

The defendant was found guilty of murdering 37 year-old American kindergarten teacher, Ibolya Ryan in December of last year at the Boutik mall women’s bathroom. Ala’a will be executed for her crime, the judge ruled today (Monday).

The defendant’s father and brother who were both present in court appeared to be distraught by the verdict unlike Ala’a who showed no emotion.

“The UAE has been and will always remain, by God’s grace, throughout its history, a safe, peaceful and stable country and a good example of social interconnection. However, there have recently been crimes that were previously unfamiliar to the UAE society. These were uniquely violent and forceful in their nature and have posed a direct threat to society,” Al Hajeri said at the hearing today (Monday).

Therefore, the court unanimously agreed to give Ala’a the death sentence based on Federal Law number seven of 2014 regarding terrorist crimes. This makes it the first execution to be ruled in accordance with the law of combating terrorism.

Furthermore, the website which Ala’a had set up to promote terrorist ideologies, will be permanently closed down and any pieces of evidence collected will be confiscated.