The man who raped and killed 8-year-old Obaida Al Aqrabawi was sentenced to death on Monday morning.

About 10 members of the victim’s family were present at Dubai Criminal Court as the judge announced the sentence for 48-year-old Nidal Eisah Abdullah Abu Ali.

The family members hailed the court’s decision with shouts of “Allahu Akbar”.

The Jordanian boy’s father began sobbing while some men in the courtroom consoled him.

The boy’s uncle said that Obaida was now at rest and was a bird in heaven.

Obaida’s mother was not present for the sentencing. Her brother said she was back in Jordan and that he would call her and inform her.

Habib Al Sayegh, board chairman of the Emirates Writers Union, and Jameelah Al Muhairi, of the Emirates Human Rights Association, were also there to witness the sentencing.

Obaida was kidnapped on May 20 while playing outside his father’s garage in Sharjah’s industrial area.

His body was found two days later in Academic City Road in Al Warqa.

Source: thenational.ae