DUBAI // The man accused of the rape and murder of eight-year-old Obaida Al Aqrabawi has refused to leave his prison cell to appear in court. He should be brought before judges by force if necessary, the Dubai Criminal Court ordered on Monday.
The accused, a 48-year-old Jordanian, failed to appear in court. His lawyer also did not appear in court on Monday. The hearing has been rescheduled for July 11.
At the man’s first hearing, on June 20, he admitted to strangling the boy after raping him but denied kidnapping him.
Obaida was last seen on May 20 at his father’s garage in Sharjah’s industrial area.
Two days later, the Jordanian boy’s body was found on Academic City Road in Al Warqa, Dubai.
The accused faces charges of kidnapping a child, threats and physical abuse, rape and premeditated murder, drinking alcohol and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Prosecutors and the victim’s family are seeking the death penalty.
salamir@thenational.ae
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Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
