Dubai: Two Afghans on death row for premeditatedly killing and robbing a sex worker, have lost their petition for an early release from prison although they obtained a waiver from the victim's parents.
In January, the Dubai Cassation Court confirmed capital punishment for the two Afghans, 30-year-old Esmail Haji Taher and 40-year-old Ahmad Allah Nadhar Mohammad, for premeditatedly stabbing an Uzbek sex worker 23 times, killing her, and stealing her mobile phones and Dh600 in February 2010.
The two prisoners obtained a written waiver from the parents of the Uzbek woman, lodged a petition with the Dubai Public Prosecution, and pleaded to be released from prison.
The Dubai Court of First Instance rejected the petition lodged by Taher and Mohammad, refused to cancel their execution and to release them from prison.
Bought knives
Prosecutors said Taher and Mohammad bought two knives worth Dh26 and premeditatedly killed the sex worker and stole Dh600, two mobile phones, a DVD player and perfumes.
Last year, the Appeals Court upheld the capital punishment sentence against the convicts. Taher and Mohammad are expected to face a firing squad as soon as the capital punishment is endorsed by the Ruler.
The Afghans pleaded not guilty and claimed that they did not intend to kill the victim, M.H. They confessed that they intended to steal her belongings.
"I intended to rob her. We fought and I unintentionally killed her. I did not pre-plan the crime," Mohammad argued.
